Sharks will look to bite Munster in Sky opener
Tournament organisers ERC and their broadcast partners yesterday announced the dates, kick-off times and the televised matches for the first three rounds of the 11th Heineken Cup tournament.
Declan Kidney's Munster will be at home to Castres Olympique for their second Pool One game on Saturday, October 29th at 5.15pm (RTÉ/Sky Sports) and away to Gwent Dragons on Saturday, December 10th at 1pm (Sky Sports).
Kidney's former charges, Leinster, begin their Pool Five campaign on Saturday, October 22nd at home to Bath at 5.15pm (RTÉ/Sky Sports).
In Round two, they have a Sunday outing on October 30th away to the Glasgow Warriors at 1pm (Sky Sports) before a December 10th meeting with Bourgoin at 5.15pm (RTÉ/Sky Sports).
Ulster's opener on Friday, October 21st at home to Benetton Treviso is not televised. However their two pre Christmas Pool Four games both make the Sky listings. On October 29th, the Northerners travel to Biarritz Olympique, (4pm) and Friday, December 9th at home to Saracens, (7.30pm).
Champions Toulouse will launch their defence against Llanelli Scarlets in front of the Sky cameras at Stade Ernest Wallon on Saturday, October, 22nd.
"This is unprecedented television coverage for the tournament and our broadcast partners will bring more and more of the colour, passion and excitement from across Europe's premier club rugby tournament to the developing fan base," said ERC Chief Executive Derek McGrath.
"The previous highest number of matches on a Pool weekend was eight and this clearly demonstrates the enhanced stature and high esteem in which the Heineken Cup is held.
"More than twelve hours of live television action over a weekend represents fantastic exposure for all our stakeholders the member Unions and participating clubs, our partners and rugby supporters across Europe."
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