Challenge Cup games set to be live on S4C

EUROPEAN Challenge Cup matches involving Welsh teams are set to be shown live by S4C in the coming season – explaining the number of Saturday 8pm kick-offs.

When the fixtures for the secondtier tournament were announced yesterday, it was that late evening timeslot for the regions’ matches that really caught the eye.

The Scarlets’ first five group games are all scheduled for 8pm on Saturday, with details of their final appointment in Pool 2 yet to be decided.

Their home matches against London Irish, Bayonne and Toulon are all at that time, as are their two fixtures out in France.

And Cardiff Blues’ Arms Park encounters with Leicester and Pau have also been scheduled for Saturday 8pm, with the kick-off for their last home game against Calvisano yet to be firmed up.

When I contacted the two regions to ask why this was the case, they both said it was a decision by the broadcasters.

This was somewhat baffling on the face of it, as the games are not down to be televised in the fixture list put out by tournament organisers EPCR.

But I understand it’s because S4C are set to show Challenge Cup matches live on their free-to-air terrestrial channel this season.

They are currently in negotiations with the primary TV rights holders BT to finalise just such a deal.

As for the 8pm kick-off slot, the presumption is that would ensure no clash with any Champions Cup fixtures being shown by BT.

Their latest Saturday evening start is 5.30pm and those games would be over before S4C’s coverage begins.

My understanding is BT and S4C have agreed in principle to the Welsh language broadcaster showing some Challenge Cup games live, although the deal is yet to be formally confirmed.