New Magners League TV rights deal agreed

Celtic Rugby has agreed a new multi-broadcaster rights deal for Magners League, which will significantly increase the rugby union tournament's reach on terrestrial TV.

Announced today, the deal will see BBC Alba, BBC Northern Ireland, RTE and TG4 joining S4C and BBC Wales in broadcasting games from league.

The agreement, which runs until the 2013/14 season, involves the majority of home matches involving Leinster, Munster and Connacht being made available free-to-air in Ireland on either RTE or TG4.

BBC Two Northern Ireland will broadcast all of Ulster's home matches and any of the team's away games against other Irish provinces. The corporation's Magners League coverage will be presented by Stephen Watson, with Ryan Constable and Jim Neilly handling the commentary.

All Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors games will be covered by BBC Alba.

BBC Wales and S4C will continue to air all live games featuring Welsh teams on Friday and Saturday evening timeslots.

All partner broadcasters will also have access to reciprocal feeds to follow their clubs on away ties. They have further agreed to run live coverage of any end of season play-off ties in their home territories.

Magners League tournament director David Jordan said that the "strong" new broadcast partners in the UK and Ireland will benefit the tournament.

"Terrestrial free to air television increases access for fans of the Magners League to one of the most competitive tournaments with some of the best known players in world rugby," he said.

"Our new broadcasters, BBC Alba, BBC Northern Ireland, RTE and TG4 complement our existing partners, BBC Wales and S4C, and will provide unparalleled coverage of Magners League games in the coming season."

Speaking to BBC News, BBC NI director Peter Johnston said: "We are delighted to be able to announce this new deal, particularly at such an exciting time for Ulster Rugby, with a core of talented young local players set to be joined next season by newly recruited, top-class overseas stars.

"This is a great addition to our sports portfolio for Northern Ireland audiences and great news for rugby fans here."