RTÉ Sport today (Wednesday, 17 August) announced details of its 2011 Rugby World Cup campaign, which will include all of Ireland’s games broadcast live from New Zealand as part of an astounding 130 hours of rugby coverage across television, radio and online.
At the launch today, World Cup winner Ben Kay, Ireland legend Shane Horgan and Leinster coach Joe Schmidt, were announced as part of RTÉ’s unrivalled team of rugby panellists for the 2011 World Cup. Also joining the team this autumn for the first time will be former Leinster defence coach and Ireland international Kurt McQuilkin, who will be co-commentating for radio from his native New Zealand.
Ryle Nugent, RTÉ Group Head of Sport, said: “RTÉ is committed to bringing the best of international and national sporting events to the Irish public free-to-air. Fans can look forward to following the Irish team’s progression every step of the way on all of RTÉ’s platforms with the unique perspective and expert analysis that our panel bring, which is unrivalled by any other broadcaster. We look forward to sharing what is set to be a momentous sporting occasion with the Irish public”.
On securing the broadcast rights Mike Miller, Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) Managing Director paid tribute to RTÉ’s quality coverage: “RWCL is delighted to be extending its association with RTÉ Sport to broadcast Rugby World Cup 2011 throughout Ireland. RTÉ is recognized as a leading broadcaster of quality sports coverage and a true champion of Rugby in Ireland and we are looking forward to working in partnership with RTÉ to further the promotion of Rugby World Cup.”
RTÉ Television
RTÉ Television will broadcast all the top games with 13 key matches live and free-to-air, including all of Ireland’s Pool matches, the Final, the Bronze Final, both semi-finals, all four quarter-finals and the opening match.
For the first time ever coverage of the Rugby World Cup will be broadcast in HD in Ireland as RTÉ Television’s live coverage of 13 key games is also available on RTÉ Two HD on SAORVIEW.
In addition to the live games RTÉ Television will broadcast free-to-air highlights coverage of every game in the tournament shown exclusively in primetime (6pm – 9pm) on RTÉ Two each match day.
RTÉ’s unrivalled team of rugby presenters, analysts and commentators will be on hand throughout the tournament with Ben Kay, Shane Horgan and Joe Schmidt joining regulars George Hook, Brent Pope, Conor O’Shea, Victor Costello and Frankie Sheahan for their expert analysis of all the action. Tom McGurk and Daire O’Brien will anchor proceedings, while Hugh Cahill, Ryle Nugent, Donal Lenihan, George Hamilton, Tony Ward, Ralph Keyes and Kurt McQuilkin will provide the commentary.
RTÉ.ie/Sport
RTÉ.ie’s dedicated Rugby World Cup 2011 section will provide live video and audio as well as comprehensive news, highlights, analysis, picture galleries and interactive text commentary.
Focusing primarily on Declan Kidney’s Ireland team, RTÉ.ie will provide the very latest news from the tournament while during matches the popular text commentaries will now include live in-match stats and analysis alongside minute-by-minute updates of the action as it unfolds. Users will also be able to offer their views and comments throughout the tournament.
All text content will be available online at RTÉ.ie as well as on mobile via RTÉ ‘s News Now app on iPhone/iPad and Android devices, as well as on m.rte.ie/sport.
RTÉ.ie’s RWC 2011 section will also include the usual insights from top pundits including George Hook, Brent Pope and Conor O’Shea, along with a special series of articles by former Leinster defence coach and Ireland international Kurt McQuilkin. There will also be a RWC jumbo, colour, wall chart free with the RTÉ Guide on 29 August, which will help fans track how the thrilling tournament unfolds
RTÉ Radio
RTÉ Radio’s resident rugby commentator Michael Corcoran will be bringing you complete coverage of all of Ireland’s Rugby World Cup matches live from New Zealand. We will also be punctuating RTÉ Radio’s usual schedule with exclusive news, interviews and updates throughout the RWC, brought to you by the country’s top commentators and sports broadcasters.
Michael Corcoran first toured with the Irish rugby team in 2000, when they travelled to Argentina, USA and Canada. He has completed two British and Irish Lions tours, to Australia in 2001 and to New Zealand in 2005.
RTÉ Sport’s Rugby World Cup coverage across television, radio and online is sponsored by O2.
Date: Wednesday, 17 June 2011
For further information please contact:
Laura Fitzgerald, Press & Publicity Officer, RTÉ Television, Ph: 208 2872 / 087 2923931, Email: Laura.Fitzgerald@rte.ie
Sheena Madden, Press & Publicity Officer, RTÉ Radio, Ph: 208 2452, Email: Sheena.Madden@rte.ie
Siobhan Colgan, Press & Publicity Officer, RTÉ Publishing, Ph: 208 2067, Email: siobhan.colgan@rte.ie
Note to Editor:
Photos from today’s launch will be sent to all national photodesks and also available on request.
Biography Info
Ben Kay was part of the England team that lifted the Webb Ellis trophy in 2003 partnering Martin Johnson in the second row. He also played in the 2007 final which England lost to South Africa and has won two Heineken Cups with his club Leicester. Ben is now a regular commentator for ESPN in the UK.
Shane Horgan has become an Ireland rugby legend since making a try-scoring debut against Scotland in 2000. He went on win 65 caps for Ireland, scoring 21 tries and winning 3 Triple Crowns. He was a key player in Leinster’s two Heineken Cup wins in 2009 and 2011.
Kiwi Joe Schmidt guided Leinster to Heineken Cup victory in his first season in charge securing his reputation as one of the world’s leading coaches. He joined Leinster from Clermont Auvergne where he coached their thrilling back division as the club lifted the Top 14 trophy for the first time in their history in 2010.
Tournament Info
Rugby World Cup 2011 kicks off in New Zealand on 9 September and will feature the top 20 teams in the world competing across 48 tournament matches. The Final will be played on 23 October 2011 at Auckland’s iconic Eden Park Stadium. It is expected that the tournament will be broadcast to four billion fans worldwide.