ERC is delighted to welcome French channel Sport +, part of Canal+ Group, as the latest broadcaster to sign up to show the Heineken Cup this season.

Sport + will join Sky Sports, French Televisions and RTE in covering the northern hemisphere's top club tournament and their introduction means that no fewer than seven of the 12 first round Pool matches on the opening weekend of 5/6/7 December will be broadcast live across Europe.

'We are delighted to welcome Sport + into our broadcasting stable for the first time. Their introduction will strengthen our coverage and provide both the clubs and their fans with a considerable boost ahead of the kick-off of this season's tournament,' said ERC Chairman Jean-Pierre Lux.

'Their commitment to the tournament will be demonstrated on the first weekend when they provide their viewers with live coverage from no fewer than three matches from three different countries.

'With the extra impetus of Sport +, live coverage of the Heineken Cup is set to expand across Europe this season. That can only be good news for everyone who wants to follow the dozens of world stars who will be on display in the Heineken Cup.'

Michel Denisot, Executive Vice President in charge of sports at Canal+ Group, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sport+, said: 'The Heineken Cup is an extremely powerful and exciting competition. It is a strong addition for our rugby fans who already benefit from an unprecedented offer of top-level, live local and international rugby coverage. Sport+, which will host Fabien Galthié as permanent guest commentator and special consultant to the channel, confirms its position as the place of choice to rugby lovers, and sports fans in general.'

Sport + will join forces with RTE and Sky Sports in showing the action from the re-match of last season's quarter-final when Leinster Lions host Biarritz Olympique at Lansdowne Road in Pool 3 on Saturday, 6 December.

That game kicks-off at 3.00pm local time and after that the Sport + subscribers will be able to watch another French-Irish battle when Bourgoin entertain Munster in Pool 5 at Stade Pierre Rajon.

Then, on Sunday, 7 December, Sport + will once again join Sky Sports in showing the crunch match between the newly crowned English champions London Wasps and last season's beaten Heineken Cup finalists, Perpignan.

In Round 2, the Sport + cameras will be on duty on Friday, 12 December at Stade Ernest Wallon for the first home game for the reigning European champions, Toulouse, when they meet Heineken Cup newcomers Leeds Tykes at 7.30pm local time.

Parc des Sports Aguilera will be the venue for Sport + coverage from Round 3 when they cover the Pool 3 clash between Biarritz Olympique and Cardiff Blues.

Toulouse will also be on the agenda in Round 4 when they travel to face the newly formed Welsh regional side, the Neath-Swansea Ospreys, on Friday, 16 January, 2004.

With more than 60 different sports disciplines and magazines, Sport+, the sports channel part of Canal+ Group, broadcast exclusively in France on the leading French satellite platform Canalsatellite and on major cable networks. Highlights include Champions League of football, European football national championships, Tennis Masters Series and Wimbledon, basketball Euroleague and NBA, European Circuit of World Championship golf, world and European handball championships. The rugby offer includes international test matches, Super 12, Tri-Nations, English national championship, French national championship (Top 16) and, from now on, the Heineken Cup.

SPORT+ HEINEKEN CUP FIXTURES

The dates, kick-off times and TV portfolio for games in Rounds 5 and 6 will be determined at a later date.

ROUND 1

SATURDAY 6 DECEMBER

Pool 3
Leinster Lions v Biarritz Olympique 15.00 RTE/Sky/Sport+ (broadcast December 7 at 13.00 French time)

Pool 5 Bourgoin v Munster 18.00 Sport+

SUNDAY 7 DECEMBER

Pool 6 London Wasps v Perpignan 15.00 Sky / Sport+ (broadcast at 18.00 French time)

ROUND 2

FRIDAY 12 DECEMBER
Pool 2 Toulouse v Leeds Tykes 19.30 Sport+

SATURDAY 10 JANUARY

Pool 3 Biarritz Olympique v Cardiff Blues 18.00 Sport+

ROUND 4

FRIDAY 16 JANUARY
Pool 2 Neath-Swansea Ospreys v Toulouse 19.45 Sky / Sport+ (broadcast at 20.45 French time)

SUNDAY 18 JANUARY
Pool 1 Stade Francais v Gwent Dragons 15.00 Sport+

Ends.

21 November, 2003

For a full list of Heineken Cup fixtures click here