Following the broadcast by S4C of a hugely entertaining and exciting Principality Premiership clash between Pontypridd and Swansea on Saturday, viewers can enjoy five more Principality Premiership and SWALEC matches on the Welsh language channel before mid January.
Saturday’s clash, won by Pontypridd by 17 points to 11 and three tries to one, saw Paul John’s Pontypridd side replace the previously unbeaten Swansea at the top of the Principality Premiership table.
The cameras will be focussed on Premiership new boys Carmarthen Quins on Saturday, and their home derby against fellow Scarlets regional side Llanelli, while Neath’s home game against current Principality Premiership champions Cardiff will be televised the following Sunday. S4C will broadcast the live rugby coverage under the Y Clwb Rygbi banner with Saturday games taking place at 6.30pm and Sunday games at 17.05pm.
Gareth Roberts will be at the helm of Y Clwb Rygbi broadcasts alongside commentators Huw Llywelyn Davies, Gwyn Jones, Brynmor Williams and Cennydd Davies. Y Clwb Rygbi is produced by BBC Cymru Wales.
Geraint Rowlands, S4C’s Content Editor Sport, said “S4C has a growing commitment to rugby in Wales across all levels of the game – from grass roots to international. We’re pleased to once again include top games from the Principality Premiership and SWALEC Cup in our strong line-up of rugby this season. There’s also the added excitement of the introduction of play-offs in the Premiership to look forward to at the end of the season.”
The Head of Sport for BBC Cymru/Wales, Geoff Williams said: “We are delighted that our partnership will bring the best action to viewers.”
WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis said, “The Principality Premiership is an important part of Welsh rugby’s international player pathway and the changes introduced this year including the Premiership play-off championship and the British and Irish Cup will enhance that status.
“It is a tribute to the Principality Premiership that a number of its players helped bring the Melrose Cup back to Wales at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in March. Furthermore a number of the players that were selected for the Wales summer tour had played most of their rugby in the Principality Premiership last season.
“Our broadcast partners S4C and BBC Wales recognise the value of the Principality Premiership with this level of live television coverage, added to the highlights packages they each show weekly. We are extremely grateful to the outstanding support that S4C and BBC Wales give to Welsh rugby.”
Graeme Yorston, Chief Operating Officer of Principality commented: “We are now in our fifth season as sponsors of the Principality Premiership and during that time have also been the broadcast sponsors of S4C’s excellent coverage of our league.
“S4C’s commitment to all levels of rugby and the excellence of their programmes led to our extending that on air sponsorship to include the Magners League and Heineken Cup coverage this season.
“The Principality Premiership goes from strength to strength as does the quality of S4C’s rugby coverage and we are extremely proud to be associated with both.”
Chris Clarke, chairman of the Premier Clubs said, “The Principality Premiership clubs are breaking new ground this season and taking the development of the next generation of international players forward with the introduction of the British and Irish Cup and the end of season play-offs.
“We are fortunate that S4C’s interest and enhanced coverage of the Principality Premiership and SWALEC Cup will enable us to share these exiting times with the people of Wales.”
Forthcoming live Principality Premiership and SWALEC Cup fixtures:
Saturday 17 October ko 18.30 Carmarthen Quins v Llanelli
Sunday 25 October ko 17.05 Neath v Cardiff
Saturday 19 December ko 18.30 Newport v Swansea
Saturday 2 January ko 18.30 Llanelli v Swansea
Saturday 16 January ko 18.30 SWALEC Cup Round 2
