RaboDirect Pro12 final goes global

Posted on May 17, 2012 in RaboDirect Pro 12

The 2012 RaboDirect PRO12 Final will be beamed around the world into more than 80 countries as Leinster Rugby attempt to make it third time lucky at the RDS, Dublin on Sunday, 27 May (kick-off 4.00pm).

As the top seeds from the regular season, Joe Schmidt’s team earned the right to host the Final at their home ground after beating Glasgow Warriors in the Play-Off last weekend. That triumph set up a repeat of the 2010 Final against the Ospreys.

The 2010 Final was the first time the competition had used the Play-Off system to determine the champions. This is the third season in a row that Leinster has reached the Final and they are still seeking their first win.

Interest in the game is intense and the Irish language TV channel TG4 will act as the host broadcaster. TG4 will screen the match live, as will RTE in Ireland and the Welsh language station, S4C, in the UK. The game will also be shown delayed live in Italy on RAI Sports 2 at 9.00pm local time.

In addition to coverage within the nations that provide teams to the RaboDirect PRO12 competition, the game will also be screened in the following countries either live or delayed live:

• Malta– Go Malta
• Middle East– Orbit Showtime Network – (23 countries) Algeria, Bahrain, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates
• North America – Fox Soccer Plus
• Canada– Rogers Sportsnet World
• Sub Sahara Africa Setanta – (50 countries) Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Comoros, Congo, Cote d’Ivorie, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Reunion, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, St. Helena, Swaziland, Tanzania/Zanzibar, The Gambia, Togo, Uganda, Western Sahara, Zambia, and Zimbabwe
• Asia Setanta – (8 countries) Brunei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand
• New Zealand– Sky New Zealand

Overseas viewers are advised to check with their Broadcasters as to whether they are showing the game live or delayed.

Leinster Squad to visit Tallaght Today

Posted on Jul 22, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

The first of two planned pre-season Open Training sessions by the Leinster squad will take place today (Friday, 22nd July) in Tallaght Stadium.

The squad are stepping up their preparations this week for the upcoming Bank of Ireland Series clashes in Donnybrook against Melbourne Rebels (Friday, 19th August) and Northampton Saints (Friday, 26th August).

The Heineken Cup champions will visit Tallaght Stadium on Friday, 22nd July from 11am. Leinster will then travel to Longford on Friday, 5th August from 11am.

Admission for both Open Sessions is free and open to all.

Leinster Rugby has undertaken a series of pre-season Open Training sessions across the length and breadth of the province and have visited the likes of Boyne, Clondalkin, Edenderry, Kilkenny, Malahide, Mullingar, Portarlington, Portlaoise, Tullamore, Wexford Wanderers and Wicklow in recent years.

Tickets for the two Bank of Ireland Series fixtures, against Southern Hemisphere Super 15 opponents Melbourne Rebels and the repeat of the Heineken Cup final against Northampton Saints are on sale now on www.leinsterrugby.ie

Brian Blaney signs for London Irish

Posted on May 20, 2010 in Rugby News

London Irish have announced the signing of Irishman Brian Blaney from Leinster Rugby.

The 28-year-old hooker will join the club for the start of 2010/11 season and brings a wealth of playing experience to Sunbury after seven seasons in Dublin.

Blaney was educated at the famous rugby school of Terenure College, whose distinguished alumni include Conor O’Shea and Girvan Dempsey, before joining Leinster in 2003.

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Leinster announces charities

Posted on Sep 23, 2009 in Rugby News

In addition to Leinster’s long-standing association with both Action Breast Cancer and ‘Welcome Home’, the Irish Heart Foundation and Temple Street Children’s Hospital will also benefit from support this season through the likes of themed events, complimentary tickets, support of fundraisers, provision of signed merchandise and by helping to raise awareness and support amongst Leinster supporters.

Many of the current squad have signed up to add their backing at ambassadorial level for each of the four charities and are looking forward to showing their support over the course of the coming season.

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