The English Gallagher Premiership is set to hit Welsh language television with S4C to show highlights of English rugby’s top tier in the new year.
BT Sports show live coverage of the Premiership, but Channel 5 decided not to renew their contract to show highlights allowing S4C an opportunity fill the gap.
Despite the four Welsh regions playing in the United Rugby Championship there is significant interest in the English Premiership in Wales, and S4C are confident they will post high viewing figures.
If the deal is finalised, the show would be presented by the experienced Sara Elgan with part of the programme in English to accommodate the analytical skills of former Bath and England prop David Flatman. Former Wales centre Jamie Roberts, who spent a number of years playing in England for Harlequins and Bath respectively is also expected to be involved as a pundit.
There are several Welsh players plying their trade over the Severn Bridge such as Dan Biggar, Louis Rees-Zammit, Ioan Lloyd, Callum Sheedy, Nick Tompkins, Christ Tshiunza, Scott Baldwin, and Ashley Beck.
The Welsh language channel recently lost the rights to broadcast Wales’ autumn internationals so acquiring rights to the Premiership will come as a big boost.
It’s not the first time S4C have ventured outside of Welsh rugby, with the channel having shown extended highlights of Super Rugby Aotearoa last year.
S4C will also be broadcasting an Indigo Group Welsh Premiership game every Thursday night when the semi-professional league starts in December, while it also shows a live URC fixture every week as part of a joint broadcasting deal with the BBC, and Premier Sports.
