Sky ‘expected’ to show Reds’ crunch clash

ERC chiefs are confident that Munster’s critical Heineken Cup game away to Clermont Auvergne will be televised by Sky Sports.

Details of the fifth and sixth round fixtures were released yesterday but the January 13 clash at Stade Marcel Michelin is a notable absentee from the broadcaster’s transmission list with the game being shown only by French network FR2.

However, ERC spokesman John Corcoran last night said: “The list issued yesterday contains the host broadcasters and just because Sky Sports isn’t included doesn’t mean they are not covering the game.

“The Munster versus Clermont game is being broadcast by FR2 in France and I expect it to be shown by Sky Sports also. Traditionally Sky show two Heineken Cup games on the Sundays of competition and on that day they are down as host broadcasters for one game (Wasps v Llanelli).”

Sky Sports have televised all of Munster’s game in the competition this season.

Meanwhile, Munster’s final pool game against London Wasps will be played six days later (Jan 19) at Thomond Park (5.15pm) with Provincial chiefs satisfied that floodlighting at the Stadium — which is currently being revamped — will be operational for the evening kick off.

The six Pool winners (ranked 1 to 6) and two best runners-up (ranked 7 and 8) qualify for the quarter-finals with the top four ranked sides earning home advantage for the matches on the weekend of 4/5/6 April. (All kick-off times local).

Round five: Friday, Jan 11: Pool 2: Ulster Rugby v Bourgoin, 7.30pm. Pool 3: Stade Français Paris v Bristol Rugby, 8pm (Sky Sports); Cardiff Blues v Harlequins, 8pm (Sky Sports).

Saturday, Jan 12: Pool 1: London Irish v Newport Gwent Dragons, 1.30pm (Sky Sports); Perpignan v Benetton Treviso, 6.30pm.

Pool 2: Ospreys v Gloucester, (Sky Sports), 5.30pm.

Pool 4: Saracens v Biarritz, 3.30pm; Viadana v Glasgow, 2.30pm.

Pool 6: Leinster v Toulouse, (Sky Sports), 1.30pm; Edinburgh v Leicester Tigers, 3.30pm.

Sunday, Jan 13: Pool 5: Clermont Auvergne v Munster, 4pm (3pm Irish); Wasps v Llanelli, 1pm, (Sky Sports).

Pool 3: (Challenge Cup): Cetransa El Salvador v Connacht Rugby, 12.30.

Round six: Friday, Jan 18: Pool 4: Biarritz v Viadana, 9pm; Glasgow v Saracens, 8pm.

Pool 3: (Challenge Cup): Connacht v Brive, 6.30pm.

Saturday, Jan 19: Pool 1: NG Dragons v Perpignan, 1.30pm; Treviso v London Irish, 2.30pm.

Pool 5: Munster v London Wasps, 5.35pm; Llanelli Scarlets v ASM Clermont Auvergne, 5.35pm.

Pool 6: Toulouse v Edinburgh, 4.30pm; Leicester Tigers v Leinster, 3.30pm.

Sunday Jan 20: Pool 2: Gloucester v Ulster, 1pm; Bourgoin v Ospreys, 2pm.

Pool 3: Bristol v Cardiff Blues, 3pm; Harlequins v Stade Français Paris, 3pm.