UK broadcaster Channel 4 has grown its rugby union portfolio with the acquisition of rights to Ireland’s autumn internationals.
The four-year deal will run from 2018 to 2021. It was agreed with the Irish Rugby Football Union, the governing body of rugby union in Ireland.
Channel 4 first amde it's move for Rugby Union in march acquiring free-to-air rights in the UK to Europe’s top club competition, the Champions Cup. That deal is for four seasons, from 2018-19 to 2021-22, and includes nine live matches per season.
Then in May, they struck a deal with the Welsh Rugby Union for live rights to three summer Test matches played by the national team. Wales played South Africa, and two matches against Argentina.
This November, Ireland will play three autumn internationals, against: Argentina, the USA and New Zealand. In 2019, when no autumn internationals are played, Channel 4 will have rights to two of Ireland’s Rugby World Cup warm-up matches (against Italy and Wales). In 2020, Ireland will play autumn internationals against Australia, South Africa and one other team; and in 2021, Ireland will play New Zealand, Argentina and one other team.
Watch the Ireland v Argentina kick-off at 7pm live on Channel 4 from Aviva Stadium, Dublin with our UK VPN from wherever you are in the World.
