Sky's Heineken record

Sky Sports and ERC confirm more live games than ever before

Last updated: 21st July 2008

Paul O Connell Ronan O Gara Heineken Cup final

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Sky Sports and ERC have announced 35 live televised fixtures from the first four rounds of the 2008/09 Heineken Cup - more than ever before.

Viewers can watch up to nine live ties from each of the first four rounds, with all 24 competing teams featuring at least twice.

Click here for full live fixtures

At least one match will be screened each Friday, three each Saturday, and two each Sunday, with extra select Heineken Cup matches available live to Sky Digital viewers through the interactive function by pressing the red button.

Many games will also be shown exclusively live throughout the UK and Ireland in High Definition, with Sky+ HD viewers offered a cinema-like experience with sharper, clearer, more vibrant pictures.

The live Heineken Cup fixtures for the first four rounds include:

MUNSTER vs MONTAUBAN - Friday 10 October: Munster open the defence of their title at the newly redeveloped Thomond Park against French side Montauban, to kick-off the exclusive Heineken Cup coverage on Sky Sports.

LEICESTER TIGERS vs OSPREYS - Sunday 12 October: Live and exclusive coverage of this rematch between the two EDF Energy Cup finalists, when the Ospreys became the first Welsh side to lift the trophy at Twickenham.

LEINSTER vs LONDON WASPS - Saturday 18 October: In the second round of the tournament, viewers can watch an exclusive clash between last season's Magners League winners and the Guinness Premiership title holders.

Great television

Announcing the fixtures, Martin Turner, executive producer for rugby union at Sky Sports, said: "The Heineken Cup is now better than ever and supported by great television coverage. There are more matches and more chances for fans to see their team, giving viewers at home more reasons to tune in."

Derek McGrath, ERC chief executive said: "The quality and quantity of coverage of the Heineken Cup offered by Sky Sports and ERC's other European partners means fans have a wealth of world-class European rugby to look forward to when the 14th Heineken Cup kicks off in October."

Highlights, analysis and a comprehensive round-up of the weekend's matches will be shown on European Rugby Special, a weekly programme broadcast every Sunday of the tournament.

The Heineken Cup is part of a non-stop season of live rugby union on Sky Sports, from international, European and domestic levels.

Alongside the Heineken Cup, Sky Sports will broadcast exclusively live coverage of the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa, along with England's autumn internationals, the Guinness Premiership, Tri Nations, Super 14s, Currie Cup, Air New Zealand Cup and the Varsity match.

Live broadcasts are supported by The Rugby Club, now in its 12th year. The weekly magazine show features in-depth previews, analysis and reaction throughout the season, with presenter Simon Lazenby joined in the studio by Dewi Morris, Stuart Barnes, Will Greenwood and Ieuan Evans.

Simon Lazenby will host the Heineken Cup matches with studio analysts including Dewi Morris, Will Greenwood, Michael Lynagh, Ieuan Evans, Paul Wallace, Mark Robson, Kenny Logan and Scott Quinnell. Stuart Barnes and Miles Harrison are behind the mics for many of the big games and Graham Simmons will be pitchside for interviews with players and coaches.

Sky Sports' live Heineken Cup fixtures

StageDateGameKick-off
OCTOBER
Round 1Friday 10Munster v Montauban8pm
Round 1Saturday 11Edinburgh v Leinster1.35pm
Round 1Saturday 11Rugby Calvisano v Cardiff Blues *1.35pm
Round 1Saturday 11Clermont Auvergne v Sale*1.35pm
Round 1Saturday 11Ulster Rugby v Stade Français Paris *3.30pm
Round 1Saturday 11Llanelli Scarlets v Harlequins3.30pm
Round 1Saturday 11Gloucester Rugby v Biarritz Olympique5.30pm
Round 1Sunday 12Leicester Tigers v Ospreys1.00pm
Round 1Sunday 12Toulouse v Bath Rugby3.00pm
Round 2Friday 17Glasgow Warriors v Toulouse8.00pm
Round 2Saturday 18Stade Français Paris v Llanelli Scarlets 1.35pm
Round 2Saturday 18Benetton Treviso v Leicester Tigers * 1.35pm
Round 2Saturday 18Ospreys v Perpignan 3.30pm
Round 2Saturday 18Leinster v London Wasps 5.30pm
Round 2Saturday 18Castres Olympique v Edinburgh *5.30pm
Round 2Sunday 19Sale Sharks v Munster1.00pm
Round 2Sunday 19Bath Rugby v N'port Gwent Dragons *1.00pm
Round 2Sunday 19Cardiff Blues v Gloucester Rugby 3.00pm
DECEMBER
Round 3

Friday 5Ulster Rugby v Llanelli Scarlets 8.00pm
Round 3Friday 5Cardiff Blues v Biarritz Olympique*8.00pm
Round 3Saturday 6Leinster v Castres Olympique1.35pm
Round 3Saturday 6Toulouse v Newport Gwent Dragons*1.35pm
Round 3Saturday 6Rugby Calvisano v Gloucester Rugby*1.35pm
Round 3Saturday 6Stade Français Paris v Harlequins3.30pm
Round 3Saturday 6Leicester Tigers v Perpignan5.30pm
Round 3Sunday 7Bath Rugby v Glasgow Warriors1.00pm
Round 3Sunday 7ASM Clermont Auvergne v Munster3.00pm
Round 4Friday 12Castres Olympique v Leinster8.00pm
Round 4Friday 12Llanelli Scarlets v Ulster Rugby*8.00pm
Round 4Saturday 13Biarritz Olympique v Cardiff Blues1.35pm
Round 4Saturday 13Benetton Treviso v Ospreys*1.35pm
Round 4Saturday 13Munster v ASM Clermont Auvergne3.30pm
Round 4Saturday 13Harlequins v Stade Français Paris5.30pm
Round 4Sunday 14London Wasps v Edinburgh1.00pm
Round 4Sunday 14Perpignan v Leicester Tigers3.00pm
* denotes interactive match choice via the red button