Premier Sports, the home of rugby’s Guinness PRO14, has expanded its rugby coverage after winning broadcast rights to seven of the star-studded games in this November’s Autumn International Series.

It’s big rugby news for Premier Sports customers who already enjoy all seven live games in the Guinness PRO14 each weekend for just £2.50 a week.

Now customers can add 7 big international test fixtures to their viewing list includingIreland’s showcase game against Six Nations rivals Italy at the iconic NFL stadium, Soldier Field, in Chicago (Sat 3rd November 8pm) as part of a rugby international triple-header in the USA, branded The Rugby Weekend. The game will also be available in the Republic of Ireland on eir sport 2.

As the southern hemisphere’s big name teams, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia all head to Europe for a huge four weeks of rugby union, Premier Sports customers across the UK will be able to enjoy some blockbuster fixtures every Saturday afternoon in November in addition to their Guinness PRO14 action.

Live rugby on Premier Sports channels will include the high profile rugby contests ofItaly v New Zealand (24th Nov) in the All Blacks last fixture of the autumn after games against both England and Ireland; plusFrance against South Africa (10th Nov) before the Springboks head to games against Wales and Scotland and what’s sure to be an entertaining encounter asFrance take on Argentina (17th Nov).

It’s another big move by UK Sports broadcaster Premier Sports to show its commitment to live rugby action – bringing subscribers comprehensive rugby coverage and growing its customer base after winning the UK rights to the Guinness PRO14 in May this year.

Premier Sports will show all France and Italy games of the autumn 2018 series as follows:

*Ireland v Italy, Saturday 3rd November, Soldier Field, Chicago, USA (on air 7.30pm)

*Italy v Georgia, Saturday 10th November, KO 2pm, Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence

*France v South Africa, Saturday 10th November, KO 7.45pm, Stade de France, Paris

*Italy v Australia, Saturday 17th November, KO 2pm, Stadio Euganeo, Padua

*France v Argentina, Saturday 17th November, KO 7.45pm, Stade Pierre- Mauroy, Lille

*Italy v New Zealand, Saturday 24th November, KO 2pm, Stadio Olympico, Rome

France vs Fiji, Saturday 24th November, KO 7.45PM, Stade de France, Paris

Saturday 24th November, KO 7.45PM, Stade de France, Paris

Irish rugby supporters across the UK will be looking to tune into Premier Sports channels (Sky 412, Virgin 551 or the Premier Player) for a great opening weekend fixture as Ireland take on Italy in the USA – with happy memories as Ireland famously beat the All Blacks at the iconic 62,000 seater Soldier Field stadium back in November 2016.

Ireland and Italy have contested a total of 28 rugby test matches since their first meeting in 1988. Ireland have won 24 of those matches, whilst Italy have won four matches. The man in the middle for this fixture will be world leading referee Nigel Owens.

To celebrate a big November on its channels, all new customers of Premier Sports that sign up before midnight on 31st October 2018 can enjoy their first month free – that’s 7 autumn international games and two rounds (14 games) of Guinness PRO14 rugby action.

Richard Sweeney, Chief Executive of Premier Sports said: “We are delighted to have expanded our rugby coverage to offer UK rugby supporters some fantastic international rugby action in November in addition to our full Guinness PRO14 action in Rounds 8 and 9. That’s even more wall-to-wall world-class live rugby across our channels Premier Sports 1, 2 and sister channel FreeSports every weekend next month.

“It’s set to be a thrilling series of Autumn Tests, packed full of world rugby’s top stars and bound to attract attention from rugby fans right across the UK as we lead into the Rugby World Cup next year. We are committed to bringing top-class rugby coverage to our subscribers and this is more positive news for our fast-growing customer base.”

Premier Sports is available in 16 million UK homes across Sky and Virgin platforms and to everyone via the Premier Player https://www.premierplayer.tv/ while FreeSports is available to 22 million UK homes across seven different platforms.

Both Premier Sport channels are available on a subscription basis for just £9.99 per month on Sky and on the Premier Sport player. The channels are also available to pubs, clubs and other commercial premises throughout the UK. Visit www.premiersports.com to find out more.

ABOUT PREMIER SPORTS

Premier Sports was founded in 2009 and operates three sports TV channels in the UK. Premier Sports 1 is on Sky channel 412 and Virgin channel 551. Premier Sports 2 is on Sky channel 435 and Virgin Channel 552. FreeSports is available free on Sky Channel 422, Virgin Media Channel 553, on Channel 95 on Freeview and BT and on Freesat Channel 252.

Premier Sports and FreeSports also hold ice hockey rights for the NHL, CHL, SHL, KHL weekly highlights and the IIHF World Championships. It is also the home of NASCAR Monster Energy Cup & GAA along with football from Europe.