Broadcaster ITV has agreed a two-year deal with the ERC, the organiser of the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup rugby tournaments, it has been announced.

As part of the deal, both events will be shown on ITV4 and adds to the broadcaster's latest agreements t show the next two Rugby World Cups as well as highlights of the Aviva Premiership.

ERC chief executive Derek McGrath said: "We are delighted to be entering into a new relationship with a major broadcast player in the UK market. The deal will enhance UK coverage of both the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup as our tournaments continue to go from strength to strength."

ITV's controller of sport, Niall Sloane, added: "The Heineken Cup is one of the biggest events in world club rugby and we're delighted to have agreed this new deal with the ERC to bring these two tournaments to ITV4 viewers."