It’s the opening weekend in the Guinness PRO14, with six showcase rugby contests set to fire-up the new-look season from the very start with every game shown live on Premier Sports.
Bringing UK rugby supporters all the drama and excitement of the new campaign in the comfort and safety of their own homes will be Premier Sports’ team of trusted presenters and pundits all raring to go and armed with all the inside track and plenty of entertaining build-up to the big games.
And with a fresh new season, there will be the chance for supporters to see new signings make their mark as well as welcoming back a number of key players returning from injury.
Tonight’s (Friday) curtain-raiser brings a triple-header of rugby action with last season’s PRO14 finalists both in action as Ulster welcome Benetton, Leinster host the Dragons and Cardiff Blues travel to Parma to face Zebre at home – coverage starts from 5.55pm.
Premier Sports has assembled its top team of rugby’s best presenters, commentators and experts to bring fans all the analysis they’ll need of this weekend’s live action:
- Zebre v Cardiff Blues: Rhys ap William & Tom Shanklin
- Ulster v Benetton: Graham Little, Stephen Ferris, Andrew Trimble, Darren Cave, Mark Robson, Paul Marshall
- Scarlets v Munster: Ross Harries, Shane Williams, Sean Holley, Eddie Butler, Lauren Jenkins
- Connacht v Glasgow Warriors: Chris Paterson & Rory Lawson
- Edinburgh v Ospreys: Dougie Vipond, Jim Hamilton, Tom Shanklin, Rory Hamilton, Emma Dodds
Saturday afternoon’s coverage kicks off with an eye-catching Scarlets v Munster clash (live on Premier Sports 2 from 2.30pm) with the hosts looking to exact revenge after the disappointment of losing a semi-final spot to Munster last season – although the visitors have a good history of winning opening games, with only one round 1 defeat since 2009.
Into Saturday evening, Connacht host Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh will face Ospreys in the sixth and final game to close what will be an action-packed opening weekend. Former Wales international Shane Williams will be part of the Premier Sports commentary team for opening weekend and says with a fresh new season and international selection on the horizon, players and teams will have to hit the ground running this weekend.
“It’s exciting for all of us involved in the Guinness PRO14 to have a new season of rugby to look forward to and be part of and I’m expecting some cracking games this weekend.
“Coaches and players will feel the responsibility to their supporters this season – it’s quite gloomy out there and people pay for season tickets, TV subscriptions and buy the new kit to support their teams, and that community spirit is so important to players. It will be good to see teams go out there and give supporters the performance they deserve and start to put a smile back on supporters faces during difficult times.
“There’s no point in players and teams starting the season playing at 60/70% capacity – they have to hit the ground running and look ahead. There are a lot of young players in this league who know that if they pay well, they will have a good chance of breaking through at international level; so I’m hoping for a lot of energy and big performances in these opening rounds.
Wales’ record international try scorer added that the reigning champions would once again take some beating this season: “Leinster have become so good and going unbeaten last season just says it all. They have such a great squad and don’t always have to play attractive rugby; they are very clever and astute and know how to win games – grinding it out, playing through phases and coming away with points every time they are in that final third. The best team won the title last season, Leo Cullen has done a great job there and made them even more powerful.
“For the Welsh Regions to compete, it’s about consistency, putting bigger performances on the road and having the self-belief going into games that you can win. I’d like to see more of that from them this season. They’ve lost a bit of spark or “hwyl” as we say in Wales, but with confidence a new brings and strong performances away from home early on with the quality they have in their squads, who knows what will happen.
“The lads have had plenty of time off and with an extended pre-season it’s great that some are coming back from injuries, if anything teams should be as prepared as ever. There are no excuses now. So let’s get it started!”
All six games PRO14 games are being shown live on Premier Sports as follows:
- Fri 2 Oct Zebre v Cardiff Blues KO 6pm Live on Premier Sports 2 (from 5.55pm)
- Fri 2 Oct Ulster v Benetton KO 8.15pm Live on Premier Sports 1 (from 7.30pm)
- Fri 2 Oct Leinster v Dragons KO 8.15pm Live on Premier Sports 2 (from 8.15pm)
- Sat 3 Oct Scarlets v Munster KO 3pm Live on Premier Sports 2 (from 2.30pm)
- Sat 3 Oct Connacht v Glasgow KO 5.15pm Live on Premier Sports 1 (from 5pm)
- Sat 3 Oct Edinburgh v Ospreys KO 7.35pm Live on Premier Sports 1 (from 7.25pm)
Premier Sports is marking start of the new season by extending a special offer (until 31st October 2020) giving rugby supporters the chance to watch every game live for the entire 2020-21 season for a reduced subscription of £80 – that’s around 50p a game.
For its complete PRO14 rugby coverage across the UK, Premier Sports has teamed up with Ulster, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff Blues, Dragons, Scarlets and Ospreys to create a unique new £80 Premier Sports offer for new customers to watch the whole of the new season.
Each new rugby supporter signing up will earn £10 for their favourite team from Premier Sports as a contribution to clubs during difficult times. All supporters need to do is use their club’s promo code on subscription.
Visit www.premiersports.com for more details.
