Premiership
EPCR announce new broadcast partnership in the USA
By Mark Stevens
31/8/22
The Heineken Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup will further extend their reach in the booming USA rugby market following today’s announcement of a new three-year broadcast partnership between EPCR and the leading sports streaming platform, FloSports.
As the exclusive broadcaster of EPCR’s tournaments in the USA until the conclusion of the 2024/25 season, FloSports will stream matches in each of the pool stage and knockout stage rounds, including both finals which are scheduled for Dublin’s Aviva Stadium in May 2023.
The deal is part of an historic alliance which will see the Heineken Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup bundled with key fixtures in the United Rugby Championship (URC) and France’s TOP 14, allowing viewers in America unprecedented access to all four competitions on one digital platform.
This innovative collaboration between EPCR, the URC and the TOP 14 means that FloSports will stream close to 450 matches representing more than 600 hours of high-class action during the 2022/23 season.
Apart from access to fixtures involving iconic clubs such as Exeter Chiefs, Leicester Tigers, Leinster Rugby and Stade Toulousain, viewers in America will also be able to watch the best of South African rugby as the Stormers, Bulls, Sharks, Lions and the Cheetahs compete in the Heineken Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup for the first time.
“The Heineken Champions Cup is the pinnacle of international club rugby and we are delighted to enhance the global reach of our flagship competition, as well as the EPCR Challenge Cup, through this exciting partnership with FloSports alongside two of our leagues – the URC and the TOP 14,” said EPCR Chairman, Dominic McKay.
“The US market is a key strategic priority for EPCR as we build the audiences and awareness of our world-class competitions in new territories. With the Heineken Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, URC and TOP 14 available from this season at the home of US rugby, more fans than ever will be able watch the very best of the international club game.
“This is our first foray into collaborating on international media rights deals with our leagues, so we are proud to make this piece of history in conjunction with FloSports.”
“We are thrilled to be working alongside these three world-class rugby properties to create a historic sports alliance with a mission of supporting the overall growth of rugby in the US,” said Ryan Fenton, Director, Global Rights Acquisition, FloSports.
“The partnerships with EPCR, the URC and the TOP 14 fit perfectly into our vision to elevate rugby in the US through ongoing investments in media rights which delivers unparalleled live programming and creates compelling news and analysis while building an essential destination for fans of the sport.”
EPCR will be announcing further multi-year broadcast partnerships for its core territories of the UK, France, Ireland and South Africa shortly, and these will be followed by the announcement of the exact dates, kick-off times and TV coverage of the 2022/23 fixtures.
Content & Images from – Exeter Chiefs Rugby
Sale Sharks have agreed a deal to sign Fiji captain Waisea Nayacalevu from French Top14 side Toulon.
The explosive centre, who starred for his country during the recent World Cup, has signed a one-year contract with an option for a further year.
He will join up with Alex Sanderson’s Sharks squad ahead of the start of the 2024/25 Gallagher Premiership season.
Waisea, 33, said: “I’ve watched the Premiership for a long time and it’s always been in the back of my mind that I would love to play there one day and experience rugby in England.
“Now that opportunity has arrived and I’m really, really happy and grateful. I’m so excited to get over there and join the boys and see how I can contribute to the team.
“I have spoken to Telusa Veainu and he only has positive things to say about the club and about Manchester.
“I’m looking forward to playing with some of the guys I’ve played against, like Tom Curry and George Ford. But I also know there are a lot of really talented young players in the Sale Sharks squad and I’m excited to share my experience and help them develop as much as I can.
“I told Alex that it’s what I’ve been doing for the last few years of my career and it’s something I’m passionate about.”
Nayacalevu, who stands at 6’4” and weighs in at 16st 7lb, spent ten years at Top14 side Stade Français before making the switch to Toulon in 2022.
He has won 34 caps for Fiji, slotting in at both centre and on the wing, and captained his country at last year’s World Cup, where the Pacific Islanders made the quarter-finals, losing 30-24 to England in Marseille.
He also famously scored for Fiji in their memorable pre-World Cup win against England at Twickenham.
Images & Content from Sale Sharks Rugby
Phil Brantingham to join Saracens
Prop-forward Phil Brantingham will leave Newcastle Falcons in the summer to join Saracens.
The 22-year-old has played 25 games for his home town club, and leaves with the thanks and best wishes of everyone at the Falcons.
Chairman of rugby Matt Thompson said: “Phil has done well for us and we made him a good offer to stay here.
“We respect his decision and wish him all the best for his move in the summer, but between now and then he will be fully committed to finishing the season strongly for Newcastle Falcons.”
Source – Newcastle Falcons Rugby
Sale Sharks can confirm that forward Cobus Wiese will leave the club at the end of the season to return to South Africa.
The 26-year-old lock has played almost 80 games for the club and scored five tries since joining from the DHL Stormers ahead of the 2020/21 season.
He played a key role last year as Sale reached the Premiership final, and this season he has featured a further 13 times for Alex Sanderson’s side.
Alex said: “Cobus will be missed by all of us on so many levels. He’s the most polite and courteous of people off the field, but the most wildly excitable man on the field, and on a night out.
“To say Cobus wears his heart on his sleeve is to do him a disservice with regards to his emotional commitment for which his body has paid the price on occasion.
“He leads by example and has earnt the respect and adoration of the group both on a professional and a personal level. We wish him every success and happiness with his move back home.”
Everyone at Sale Sharks would like to thank Cobus for his contribution to the club and the team during his time here and we wish him all the very best for the future.
Images & Content from Sale Sharks Rugby
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