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| 10 July 2003, 9:31 am |
| Two Sky Games For Saints Before New Year |
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Sky Sports and Premier Rugby today announced the first live televised matches for the 2003-2004 Zurich Premiership season with Northampton Saints appearing three times before New Year.
The opening match sees 2003 Zurich Premiership champions London Wasps in a London derby against NEC Harlequins at The Stoop. Before the New Year, Sky Sports will broadcast live action from all 12 Zurich Premiership venues.
For the first time, live Saturday games will be regularly scheduled for a 2.45pm kick-off - in line with club requests allowing latest scores and live reports from other Saturday games across the country to be featured on the live Sky game at half-time and full-time.
"We're really excited about the new Zurich Premiership season on Sky Sports," said Martin Turner, Sky Sports rugby union executive producer. "With a regular Saturday afternoon slot we'll be able to update our viewers with live reports from the other action in the Premiership during the intervals in our live match coverage and with action from last season's finalists as well as Premiership newcomers, Rotherham to look forward to in the first two weeks of the season, it's a thrilling line-up of matches."
Sky Sports will show up to 28 matches exclusively live from the Zurich Premiership this season in addition to The Rugby Club, Sky's weekly magazine programme that keeps you up to date with rugby union action from around the world.
Simon Lazenby will host expert analysis of the Zurich Premiership games from Dewi Morris and Michael Lynagh in the studio, with Stuart Barnes and Miles Harrison providing incisive match commentary. Graham Simmons will be pitchside gleaning interviews and reaction from players and coaches.
At international level, Sky Sports will also show live coverage of England's World Cup warm-up games against Wales in Cardiff on 23 August and France at Marseilles on 30 August and Twickenham on 6 September. Additional information to follow.
The confirmed live Zurich Premiership fixtures for 2003 are:
SEPTEMBER
Saturday 13th NEC Quins v Wasps - KO 2.45pm
Saturday 20th Rotherham v Quins - KO 2.45pm
Saturday 27th Gloucester v Saracens - KO 2.45pm
OCTOBER
Saturday 4th Tigers v Sharks - KO 2.45pm
Sunday 5th Wasps v Bath - KO 2pm
Saturday 11th Gloucester v Tigers - KO 2.45pm
Wednesday 15th Saracens v SAINTS - KO 7.45pm
Sunday 19th Bath v Saracens - KO 2pm
Saturday 25th Newcastle v Bath - KO 2.45pm
Friday 31st Sharks v Irish - KO 7.45pm
NOVEMBER
Saturday 1st SAINTS v Gloucester - KO 2.45pm
Saturday 8th Leeds v Sharks - KO 2.45pm
Friday 21st Wasps v Gloucester - KO 7.45pm
Saturday 29th Newcastle v Wasps - KO 2.45pm
DECEMBER
Saturday 20th SAINTS v Tigers - KO 2.45pm
Saturday 27th Irish v Wasps - KO 2.45pm
Further details on Sky Sports' live coverage of the Zurich Premiership will be announced throughout the tournament. |
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