Premiership highlights show set for Welsh makeover

THE Gallagher Premiership is set to hit Welsh language television with S4C poised to show highlights of English rugby’s top tier from 2022.

BT Sport is the Premiership’s live broadcaster, but Channel 5 decided not to renew their contract to show highlights of the league’s action. S4C have spied an opportunity to fill the gap.

Despite the four Welsh regions playing in the United Rugby Championship, there is significant interest in the Premiership in Wales. S4C are confident they will post high viewing figures.

Their highlights show will be presented by the experienced Sarra Elgan Easterby with part of the programme in English to accommodate the analytical skills of former Bath and England prop David Flatman.

Ex-Wales centre Jamie Roberts, who spent a number of years playing in England for Harlequins and Bath, is also expected to be involved as a pundit.

There are several Welsh international players plying their trade in the Premiership including Dan Biggar, Louis Rees-Zammit, Ioan Lloyd, Callum Sheedy, Nick Tompkins, Christ Tshiunza, Scott Baldwin and Ashley Beck.

The Welsh language channel recently lost the rights to broadcast Wales’ Autumn Internationals so acquiring Premiership highlights will come as a big boost.

It’s not the first time S4C has ventured outside of Welsh rugby with the channel having shown extended highlights of Super Rugby Aotearoa last year.

S4C will also be broadcasting a Welsh Premiership game every Thursday night when the semi-professional league starts in December. It also shows a live URC fixture involving a Welsh region every week as part of a joint broadcasting deal with BBC Wales and Premier Sports.