Premiership Rugby finally returns to free-to-air TV - Ruck

Premiership Rugby finally returns to free-to-air TV

Domestic club rugby in England is finally set to return to terrestrial TV from as early as next week through to the end of the season

The Rugby Paper exclusively reported this morning that a deal with ITV to show five Gallagher Premiership matches, simultaneously with BT Sport, is thought to be close to being finalised

But it is not yet clear if the package includes a highlights show similar to the one presented by David Flatman and Mark Durden Smith previously.

The Premiership has not had a free-to-air broadcast partner since the four-year contract with Channel 5 ended at the conclusion of last season.

EDITORS PICKS:

Joe Marler on three rugby stars he cannot stand

England prop Joe Marler is never afraid of sharing an opinion or two – especially when it’s about someone he doesn’t particularly like.

#1. Israel Folau

Over 1,000 days since Folau last played a professional match of rugby union, Marler’s old Twitter sparring partner made his return to the sport over the weekend.

The loose-head prop takes any chance he can to call out the former Wallabies fullback, who could soon represent Tonga, for his homophobic views.

In a series of tweets sent directly to Folau, Marler attached pictures and GIFs of men kissing, in a display of defiant humour which was praised by fellow players and LGBTQ fans alike.

Marler later named Folau in his dream team in a tongue-in-cheek fashion.

On selecting Folau as his fullback, Marler commented, “On the night out, after we had played our match on the Saturday, I’d take him out in Brighton to The Blue Oyster… a couple of clubs.”

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