S4C has announced its schedule for the 2011 Rugby World Cup to be held in New Zealand in September and October.
The Channel will broadcast a total of nine live matches – including every one of Wales’ games in the group stages and one match in each of the knockout stages.
S4C’s Cwpan Rygbi’r Byd 2011 coverage will also include the opening ceremony and the opening match between New Zealand and Tonga along with the Final and the Bronze play-off match for third place.
Live coverage of these matches in the mornings will be complemented by an evening highlights show on the same day.
This programme will include extended highlights of Wales’ matches, highlights of other games and a live discussion with a panel of experts. Viewers will be invited to make comments via a range of media including phone, text, Twitter – via the tag #rygbi – and Facebook, and ask the opinion of panel members.
S4C’s line-up will include presenters Gareth Roberts and Arthur Emyr, match commentators Wyn Gruffydd and Derwyn Jones, match analysis with Gwyn Jones and Brynmor Williams and additional analysis from Emyr Lewis and Jonathan Davies.
A new face for S4C, presenter Carys Davies will be joining the presentation team for the evening programme and she will be responsible for passing on reaction and questions from the Welsh rugby public to the panel.
There will also be reports from a Southern Hemisphere perspective from Delyth Morgan, the former Wales rugby international now living in New Zealand.
S4C’s rugby-related coverage will include a special series of the popular entertainment show Jonathan. Jonathan Davies and the team will preview each of Wales’ matches and the knockout rounds in their own inimitable, humorous style.
The live match coverage will include special previews and post-match reports and interviews from the Welsh camp, as the Wales national side face South Africa, Fiji, Samoa and Namibia in Pool D.
In addition, there will be on-line reports from inside the Welsh camp on the S4C website – s4c.co.uk/rugby. This is provided in conjunction with the Welsh Rugby Union.
The website will also feature daily video blogs – with contributions by the presenters, players and coaching staff – highlights from each of Wales’ matches, and a video round up of each group. This is in addition to game fixtures, player and presenter profiles and a live feed of the presenters’ latest Twitter updates.
S4C will have live coverage of Wales v South Africa from Wellington Regional Stadium on 11 September, Wales v Samoa from Waikato Stadium, Hamilton on 18 September, Wales v Namibia from Stadium Taranaki, New Plymouth on 27 September and Wales v Fiji from Waikato Stadium, Hamilton on 2 October.
The Quarter-finals are scheduled for 8 and 9 October, the Semi-finals for 15 and 16 October, the Bronze Final for 21 October and the Final from Eden Park, Auckland on 23 October.
S4C’s Content Editor Sport Geraint Rowlands says. “We’re delighted to unveil our exciting schedule for the 2011 Rugby World Cup which will include nine live games and an extended package of highlights.
“S4C will be broadcasting the Welsh matches and looking at the tournament from a specifically Welsh perspective and with an inside view of the Welsh camp.
“As well as live coverage in the mornings, we have an evening show at peak-viewing time which will feature extended highlights of Wales’ games. This show will be a live platform for viewers to have their say and to quiz a panel of experts about the tournament.”
