- TNT are the UK’s essential broadcaster of the European sport’s premier competitors
- Discussions between European Rugby and TNT over a brand new contract have stalled
- Internet hosting ‘vacation spot’ Champions Cup semi-finals is a brand new thought being thought of
European Rugby bosses are but to agree a brand new tv take care of TNT Sports activities for subsequent season however internet hosting ‘vacation spot’ Champions Cup semi-finals is a brand new thought being thought of.
TNT – beforehand often called BT Sport – are the primary British broadcast associate of the European sport’s premier competitors. This season they’ve proven each Champions Cup match reside.
TNT are additionally the Gallagher Premiership’s principal TV associate. Final month, they confirmed an enlargement into worldwide rugby and dedicated to delivering all 21 Autumn Nations Sequence fixtures later this yr reside, together with England’s matches with New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Japan.
However discussions between European Rugby and TNT over a brand new contract have stalled with no fast decision in sight. It implies that as issues stand, it’s unclear which channel Champions Cup matches will probably be proven on in the UK within the 2024/25 marketing campaign. Northampton and Harlequins have been crushed by Leinster and Toulouse in final weekend’s semi-finals.
These two matches came about at Dublin’s Croke Park and Stadium de Toulouse respectively.
Left tor proper: TNT’s Austin Healey, Lawrence Dallaglio and Craig Doyle earlier than Saturday’s Champions Cup semi-final at Croke Park
Toulouse superior from their semi-final towards Harlequins after a match of their residence metropolis
That has attracted criticism in some quarters as the 2 groups who will contest Could 25’s last at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium each performed their last-four matches of their residence cities.
However in future seasons, the 2 Champions Cup semi-finals may each be held on the identical venue to create a competition of rugby in a single location. Mail Sport understands Portugal and Benfica’s Estadio da Luz made a bid to do precisely that this season. The provide was turned down on this event though comparable propositions in years to come back might be met with a special reply.
European Rugby chairman Dominic McKay has beforehand acknowledged the massive ambition he has for the Champions and Problem Cups as a part of rugby’s plans to develop the sport globally.
In February, McKay confirmed Spanish metropolis Bilbao would host the 2026 Problem and Champions Cup finals and that taking these showpiece video games to the USA sooner or later is a severe chance.
Sorting a brand new UK broadcast deal, although, should be probably the most fast priorities for McKay and European Rugby’s chief govt Jacques Raynaud.
Discussions between European Rugby and TNT over a brand new contract have stalled
After practically pulling off an exciting comeback in Toulouse’s yard earlier than falling to a 38-26 defeat, Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care has turned his attentions to sealing a Premiership play-off spot.
With two video games of the common season to go, England’s high league is about for an exciting finale.
Leaders Northampton, Saracens, Tub and Bristol at present occupy the coveted high 4 positions. Harlequins are fifth however degree on factors with the Bears.
Skilled No 9 Care desires his staff to brush off the Toulouse disappointment once they journey to Exeter on Saturday. Harlequins’ last sport is towards play-off rivals Bristol.
Danny Care has set sights on securing a Premiership play-off spot after defeat to Toulouse
‘We have now to. It will be very disappointing for us to not make a semi-final or a last within the Premiership this season after every part we’ve gone by way of. We’re determined,’ Care stated.
‘We all know how robust it will be. We’ve acquired one other huge sport on Saturday towards Exeter. We’ve most likely acquired to win each our remaining video games to make the highest 4.
‘We’ll sink our tooth into that and attempt to make a Premiership last. We genuinely felt we may get shut towards a staff nearly as good as Toulouse and will have received. Possibly we should always have.
‘Now it’s again to the Premiership. We’ve acquired to dry our tears fairly shortly.’
