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Munster: begin our live coverage

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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