Newstalk scoops RTÉ to secure Rugby World Cup radio rights

NEWSTALK 106-108FM has scored a major scoop over RTÉ by securing the exclusive radio rights to broadcast every match live from next year’s Rugby World Cup.

The news is a huge blow to RTÉ, who earlier this year lost the television rights to Setanta Sports for rugby’s showcase tournament, and were outbid by Sky Sports for Heineken Cup games in Ireland.

It means that the national broadcaster is unlikely to be able to broadcast any live coverage of matches involving the Irish rugby team in the Rugby World Cup for the first time since the tournament began in 1987.