ITV SECURE RIGHTS TO TWO RUGBY UNION WORLD CUPS

ITV have secured the rights to the next two Rugby Union World Cups and a group of other top rugby events in a six-year partnership with the International Rugby Board.
The Rugby World Cup 2003 in Australia and New Zealand and the 2007 tournament in Europe headline the package which also includes the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2005 and the World Sevens Series, 2001-2005.
The next two Rugby World Cups will be screened on ITV and the ITV Sport Channel. Every match will be covered live - a complete service which will give both the rugby fanatic and the general sports fan the best possible opportunity to watch the Rugby World Cup.
ITV Controller of Sport, Brian Barwick, said: “The Rugby World Cup has grown in significance tournament by tournament and we are delighted to seal a new partnership that has rugby as the ultimate winner. We are very happy to continue our association with a great competition which has grown in status and popularity and is now established as one of world sports major events.”
November’s round of World Sevens Series from Dubai will be the first matches to be screened under the new deal.
ITV and the Rugby World Cup have been key partners since 1991 when the channel’s award-winning host broadcasting of the event saw Australia triumph over England on a tension packed afternoon at Twickenham. (CD)