Premiership Rugby finally returns to free-to-air TV

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.

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."

The winger dramatically left Harlequins in 2017 to join Premiership rivals Sale Sharks in an unusual mid-season move.

Marler said: “I hadn’t spoken to the bloke in 18 months,

“I’d lost the plot with him a good while ago. And let him be, let him do his own thing, because I’d given up on it

“He’d made the decision that he wanted to leave…you know, all the best to him. I wish him all the best. I don’t wish nastiness upon anyone.

“He’s one of those to just leave, as he won’t change in my mind. Me and him just don’t get on.”

Woodward tore apart Eddie Jones' side during a webinar, slamming Marler and fellow prop Dan Cole for their behaviour in a press conference prior to the loss against South Africa back in November. This wasn't the first time the 2003 World Cup-winning coach called out the prop.

After reading an article on the Rugby Pass website highlighting Woodward's comments, he tweeted him directly, saying: "Change the record Sir Clive - you should be grateful you can 'milk the cow' for another 3 years."