Sky Sports Secures Exclusive Rights to Top 14 Rugby

British broadcaster Sky Sports have secured a five-year agreement to show France’s Top 14 exclusively live.

From August 2014, Sky Sports will have rights to 55 live matches a season from French rugby’s leading competition, featuring stars from 28 different nations including Jonny Sexton, Jamie Roberts, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Matt Giteau and Bryan Habana.

Sky Sports will show at least two live Top 14 matches and a highlights programme a week through to the Play-Offs and Final in June. The top six teams at the end of the regular season will qualify to join the following season’s European Rugby Champions Cup which is also live on Sky Sports.

The deal is the latest in a series of long-term rights announcements by Sky Sports this year, including British & Irish Lions Tour 2017, PGA Tour Golf, IPL cricket, Scottish Football and Super League rugby.

Sky Sports Managing Director Barney Francis said: “This agreement brings even more top class rugby union to Sky Sports. Top 14 rugby features some of the best international players and best teams and this deal strengthens our unrivalled rugby schedule even further.”

LNR President Paul Goze added: “We’re pleased to announce this partnership with Sky and to secure such a strong partner on a long-term deal. Sky will provide an extensive coverage of the competition, and we expect to enlarge our UK fan base further in the next five seasons.”