MAGNERS LEAGUE SEMI FINAL PLAY-OFF LIVE ON BBC ALBA
BBC ALBA will tomorrow screen live coverage of the Magners League semi final play-off which will see the Ospreys take on Glasgow Warriors.
The inaugural semi final from Liberty Stadium, Swansea will kick off this Friday 14 May at 7.05pm. The action will also be available live and on 7-day catch-up via BBC iPlayer as well as the full match coverage being repeated on BBC ALBA on Saturday 15 May at 11.30pm.
BBC ALBA will bring viewers an exciting package of half time entertainment including exclusive interviews with Kelly Brown, who has 35 Scotland caps and was an ever-present in the RBS Six Nations Championship this year, and Scotland head coach Andy Robinson, as well as a review of the Scottish rugby season covering the Autumn Tests and a round-up of Glasgow Warriors’ journey to the semi final.
Alan Esslemont, head of content for BBC ALBA said: “We are delighted to bring live coverage of this first ever Play-Off semi final. With Glasgow Warriors making the final four, it seemed a perfect fit to have BBC ALBA broadcast what is sure to be a thrilling match. We very much look forward to delivering a fantastic programme for Scottish rugby fans across the country who are unable to travel to Swansea to support their team.
“Rugby already has a significant fan base and we are delighted to be in a position to open up this popular game to an even wider audience, whilst continuing to build on our commitment to producing live sport for Scottish fans.”
Magners League Tournament Director, David Jordan said; “It is terrific news that we have managed to secure live coverage of this exciting match in Scotland. The introduction of the Play-Offs into the Magners League this season has not only ensured more meaningful matches throughout the season – the top four places were not confirmed until the final whistle of the final game of the regular season – but the progression of Glasgow Warriors to the Play-Off semi-finals could lead to the possibility of a Scottish team winning the competition for the first time ever.”
Glasgow Warriors Chief Executive, Kenny Baillie, added: “It’s great news for all Warriors fans and for rugby in Scotland that more broadcasters are beginning to take a real interest in the game.
“I am delighted that our supporters who cannot travel to south Wales to support the team can now watch the match live on television thanks to BBC ALBA.
“The Warriors fan base is growing year-on-year and I am pleased that sports fans in Scotland will now get the chance to watch an excellent game of rugby and the first ever Magners League Play-Off match.”
The coverage will be produced by mneTV, one of Scotland’s leading independent production companies, for BBC ALBA and will be hosted by Gaelic sports commentator Hugh Dan MacLennan.