• Riveting rugby action of semi-finals and finals brought live by ADD to viewers in Mena region
Dubai, April 29, 2009: Rugby fans in the Middle East are in for some riveting action as May closes out another season of the Heinekin Cup, the premier rugby union competition featuring the top club, provincial and regional teams from six nations – England, France, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Italy. According to an announcement here today by Arab Digital Distribution (ADD), the largest pay TV platform in the region, live coverage by ESPN – Middle East of the semi-finals at 19.25 hrs (GMT) on Saturday, May 2 and 14.55 hrs (GMT) Sunday, May 3, as well as the finals at 16.55 hrs (GMT) on Saturday, May 23 will be available to viewers on the Firstnet Premium, Pehla Silver & Pehla Gold platforms.
The live rugby action is arguably one of the most prestigious trophies in the sport. Rugby is growing in popularity because it is, perhaps, the most pure contact sport - tough, fast and exciting. Although in the past it was considered a brutal and rugged game, the modern version has developed into a fast-paced game of skill and determination that requires coordination of mind and body. This year, all eyes will be on defending champions Munster, who are considered the favourites, having won the Heinekin trophy twice in the past three years.
The tournament for the Heinekin Cup, named after its sponsors, is organised by the European Rugby Cup. The first semi-final on Saturday, to be played at Dublin’s Croke Park stadium, is an all-Ireland scorcher with Lienster seeking to avenge its earlier defeat by Munster this year as well as its defeat at the same stage of the competition in 2006. The second semifinal on Sunday will be staged at Cardiff’s Millenium Stadium and will see the team with the most impressive record - six consecutive wins - in this year’s tournament, Cardiff Blues, take on two-time Cup winner but current underdogs Leicester Tigers. The winners will face off in the final at Edinburgh in Scotland on May 23rd 2009.
April’s quarterfinals saw Munster defeat Wales club Ospreys 43-9, while archrival Leinster got the better of England’s Harlequins 6-5. Other quarterfinal action saw Wales’ Cardiff Blues send back France’s Toulouse – a three-time Heineken Cup champion and losers to Munster in last year’s final – 9-6, while one of the fiercest rivalries in English rugby saw Leicester Tigers beat Bath Rugby 20-15. |