URC
Ulster Rugby makes a return to BBC Coverage
‘Great news for Ulster Fans’
BBC Northern Ireland has revealed it will broadcast a new one-hour Pro14 highlights programme on BBC iPlayer and BBC Two NI on Monday evenings.
Rugby fans will be able to watch the highlights from the weekend’s seven games on the programme which will be shown first on BBC iPlayer from 19:00 GMT and then on BBC Two at 23:15 GMT.
The agreement starts with coverage of all round six matches which includes Ulster’s key trip to Munster, Connacht against champions Leinster and Edinburgh against the Dragons.
The programme, which is part of a two-year deal signed by BBC Northern Ireland, BBC Scotland and BBC Wales with Pro14, will see action from the competition back on BBC Northern Ireland television.
The deal will cover the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons and includes the play-offs as well as highlights of the finals.
The final next year takes place in Cardiff on 20 June.
‘Great news for rugby fans’
BBC Northern Ireland’s Executive Editor for Sport, Neil Brittain said:
“This is great news for rugby fans. The Pro14 is a fantastic tournament. We have a long history of broadcasting the competition, so I’m delighted that it’s back on BBC Northern Ireland television.
“The new programme will of course include Ulster games but there will be highlights of all the matches from each round so viewers will get to see some of the world’s best players and best teams every week in the competition.
And it really reinforces our commitment to our audiences to bring them the best sporting action – complementing our coverage of football, GAA and bikes.”
Dermot Rigley, Commercial Director of Pro14 Rugby said: “BBC’s return to the Guinness Pro14 is terrific news for our fans and adds yet another committed broadcast partner to our Championship.
“As a tournament we have set a new standard by ensuring every single game is available live to our viewers in the UK and now with our highlights available to free-to-air audiences via the BBC, rugby fans will have unprecedented access to the matches.
“The BBC was on hand at our very first Celtic League final in 2001 and played a part in our journey over the subsequent years, so it is fantastic that they return at a time when the Championship has never been so strong.”
As well as the highlights package, BBC Radio Ulster will continue with its coverage and live commentary of all Ulster matches.
Article from BBC Sport
The abrasive midfielder will earn his club debut having made a summer move from NSW Waratahs, with fellow summer recruits Paul Hill (tighthead) and Ross Thompson (fly-half) also set to start against the Irishmen.
Head Coach Sean Everitt’s first selection of the season also sees Ben Muncaster complete his injury return, to start at number eight tomorrow night.
On the selection, Everitt said: “It’s exciting to be back In BKT URC action this week, and matches don’t get much tougher in this league than facing Leinster.
“We know the challenge they will bring and it’s up to us to rise to that. We can’t wait to get the season started in front of a packed-out Hive Stadium for round one.”
Everitt has named the same back-three that started last Friday’s Scottish Building Society pre-season match against Gloucester, with Wes Goosen at full-back flanked by Scotland internationalists Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe on the wings.
Tuipulotu is partnered by Matt Currie in the centres, fresh from earning his first Scotland caps during the recent summer test window, while Ali Price is reunitedwith former Glasgow teammate Thompson in the halves.
England internationalist Hill is joined in the front row by Scotland pair Pierre Schoeman (loosehead) and Dave Cherry (hooker), who made his debut against Leinster in 2018.
Grant Gilchrist leads the side from lock having been named as club co-captain for his 14th professional season, with Marshall Sykes again accompanying him in the second-row.
Muncaster’s impressive turn against Gloucester sees him rewarded with a starting berth, playing alongside club centurions Jamie Ritchie (blindside) and Hamish Watson (openside) in the back-row.
Edinburgh Rugby side to face Leinster at Hive Stadium in the BKT United Rugby Championship
Friday 20 September (kick-off 7.35pm) – live on Premier Sports
15. Wes Goosen (31)
14. Darcy Graham (64)
13. Mosese Tuipulotu*
12. Matt Currie (40)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (92)
10. Ross Thompson*
9. Ali Price (17)
1. Pierre Schoeman (115)
2. Dave Cherry (93)
3. Paul Hill*
4. Marshall Sykes (62)
5. Grant Gilchrist (205) CAPTAIN
6. Jamie Ritchie (114)
7. Hamish Watson (159)
8. Ben Muncaster (30)
Replacements
16. Ewan Ashman (20)
17. Boan Venter (66)
18. D’arcy Rae (5)
19. Jamie Hodgson (61)
20. Magnus Bradbury (113)
21. Ben Vellacott (61)
22. Ben Healy (23)
23. Emiliano Boffelli (40)
*Edinburgh Rugby debut
Unavailable: Luke Crosbie (neck), Nathan Sweeney (knee), James Lang (quad), Harry Paterson (foot/wound), Glen Young (pec), Sam Skinner (knee), Angus Williams (hamstring), Robin Hislop (knee)
Content & Images from – Edinburgh Rugby
Harry Sheridan commits future to Ulster Rugby
9 minutes ago
News
Ulster Rugby forward, Harry Sheridan, has committed his future to the province, signing a new two-year-deal that will keep him playing in the white jersey until at least 2027.
The combative forward, who can play in the second or back row, had a significant impact in the Senior Men’s side last season, with his performances recognised when he was named the province’s Young Men’s Player of the Year for the 2023/24 season.
The Holywood man has seen a significant number of minutes since Head Coach, Richie Murphy, came into the club, and has been trusted to play a key role in the squad.
Sheridan played his club rugby with Civil Service NI RFC, and schools’ rugby for Sullivan Upper School.
He would join Ulster Rugby’s sub-Academy after playing rugby for Trinity College in Dublin, where he studied.
The powerful forward, has represented Ireland at U20s level, competing in the 2021 Six Nations Championship.
On the news of Sheridan’s contract extension, Ulster Rugby’s Head of Recruitment and Rugby Operations, Bryn Cunningham said:
“We are delighted to secure Harry’s future with this extension, as we see him being an integral part of the team for the present and future.
“He is a throwback of a player, a forward who disrupts the opposition, is aggressive and who brings a proper physical presence for us. At 22-years-old, he is showing great potential and has grown in stature over the past season, showing his versatility at lock and flanker.
“We look forward to seeing how he develops in the seasons ahead in an Ulster jersey.”
On the news on his new deal, Sheridan added:
“I’m so happy to sign for a further two years. Last season was a huge year for me as I got more game-time in the senior side, and it was a massive learning curve in a season full of ups and downs.
I’m looking forward to improving my game and rolling into this year where I finished the last one. We have a great forward pack that I love training and playing alongside.
I am really enjoying the environment and going into training ready to work and learn.
It’s a perfect start to the season for me and I can’t wait to get stuck into another season.”
Images & Content – Ulster Rugby
Team news: Falcons side to face Bristol
Cian Prendergast: Munster preview
MATCH PREVIEW | Sale Sharks v Harlequins
-
URC2 days agoHarry Sheridan commits future to Ulster Rugby
-
URC2 days ago
Stuart McCloskey signs new two-year deal
-
6 Nations2 days agoEasterby Names 33-Player Emerging Ireland Squad For South Africa Tour
-
URC2 days agoTadhg Beirne Named As New Munster Rugby Captain
-
International5 hours agoSlipper to become most capped Wallaby of all-time in Bledisloe One
-
Premiership5 hours agoTeam news: Newcastle Falcons vs Bristol Bears
-
URC5 hours agoEight debutants named in Cardiff squad for Zebre Parma
-
URC3 hours agoTuipulotu to debut against Leinster