More TV airtime for the Chiefs

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs are set for more global airtime during the Christmas and New Year period after the latest TV picks for the Aviva Premiership scheduled them in for three appearances in front of the cameras.

BT Sport have today confirmed they are planning an early Christmas present for fans of Premiership Rugby by broadcasting a bumper four matches on the weekend before the holidays.

Kicking off with Exeter's trip to Sale Sharks on Friday, December 19 (7.45pm), the BT Sport team will also visit Northampton Saints, Gloucester Rugby and Wasps as eight of the 12 clubs appear live on TV.

“The last weekend before Christmas is already a bumper time for attendances in Aviva Premiership Rugby and now there is even more for the armchair fan to watch,” said Dominic Hayes, the Commercial Director of Premiership Rugby.

“Included in this breathtaking weekend of live action are two of world rugby’s most compelling derby fixtures. At 3.15pm on Saturday, December 20, fans will see the East Midlands clash between Northampton Saints and Leicester Tigers, followed by the Westcountry battle between Gloucester and Bath. Even the supporters at home will be out of breath after those two encounters!”

The first, incredible, weekend is followed over the Christmas period by another set of absorbing back-to-back matches on December 27 with the Chiefs travelling to Bath Rugby (2pm) and Harlequins hosting Northampton Saints at Twickenham Stadium in Big Game 7.

The New Year then begins with another weekend of four live matches, starting with Newcastle Falcons trip to Franklin’s Gardens on January 2, before back-to-back games the following day with Saracens playing host to London Irish, before Rob Baxter's Exeter side entertain rivals Gloucester at Sandy Park (4.30pm). That weekend is topped off with Bath's trip to Leicester Tigers on January 4 (2pm).

Although the Chiefs do not feature in the final TV block over the weekend of January 9-11, it has been confirmed they will head to London Irish on Sunday, January 11 (3pm).

In addition to the Premiership games, BT Sport have also confirmed they will be covering the La Rochelle versus Exeter Chiefs game in the European Rugby Challenge Cup on Thursday, December 4.

CONFIRMED TV PICKS

Thursday 4th December - La Rochelle v Exeter Chiefs (8.45pm)

Friday 19th December - Sale Sharks v Exeter Chiefs (7.45pm)
Saturday 20th December - Northampton Saints v Leicester Tigers (3.45pm)
Saturday 20th December - Gloucester v Bath (5.30pm)
Sunday 21st December - Wasps v London Irish (2pm)

Saturday 27th December - Bath v Exeter Chiefs (2pm)
Saturday 27th December - Harlequins v Northampton Saints (4.30pm)
Sunday 28th December - Gloucester v Wasps (2.30pm)

Friday 2nd January - Northampton Saints v Newcastle Falcons (7.45pm)
Saturday 3rd January - Saracens v London Irish (2pm)
Saturday 3rd January - Exeter Chiefs v Gloucester (4.30pm)
Sunday 4th January - Leicester Tigers v Bath (2pm)

Friday 9th January - Gloucester Rugby v Saracens (7.45pm)
Saturday 10th January - Harlequins v Leicester Tigers (3.15pm)
Sunday 11th January - Newcastle Falcons v London Welsh (2pm)