Irish Rugby : Provincial Rugby : News : TV Coverage Details Confirmed For PRO12 Matches

IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne has issued a statement following confirmation of Ronan O'Gara's decision to retire from playing professional rugby.

IRFU provincial and national age grade coaches - Under-18s, Under-19s and Under-20s - and IRFU elite player development staff from the four provinces gathered recently to review their experiences, discuss challenges and align closer to ensure the development of more effective elite players across the IRFU Elite Player Pathway.

The IRFU today announced a new one-year contract with Brian O'Driscoll which will see him remain available to play for Ireland and Leinster until the end of June 2014.

Once more there are seven broadcast partners - BBC Northern Ireland, RTE and TG4 in Ireland, BBC ALBA in Scotland, BBC Wales and S4C in Wales - all continuing their excellent comprehensive coverage and analysis of RaboDirect PRO12 games, whilst there will be a new broadcast partner in Italy in the guise of SportItalia.

Television coverage starts on Friday, August 31, with games in Italy and Ireland. The Ospreys' fixture against Benetton Treviso will become the first live game for the new broadcaster SportItalia, while BBC Northern Ireland host Ulster v Glasgow Warriors at Ravenhill.

With the coverage continuing on Saturday as S4C televise the Scarlets against last season's beaten finalists Leinster, and BBC ALBA showing the Edinburgh v Munster game, there is plenty to keep RaboDirect PRO12 fans entertained in the coming season.

* At present the TV coverage refers to the host broadcaster. Secondary broadcasts will be announced at a later date.

Full List Of Fixtures