Premier Sports, the new home of every game in the Guinness PRO14, has unveiled a star-studded team of top talent from across Scottish Rugby to lead its broadcasts in Scotland as an exciting new season of rugby action kicks off this weekend (Friday 31st August). Premier Sports signed a landmark three-year deal with PRO14 Rugby in April this year to show all 152 games live each season across the UK including Northern Ireland making the Championship its No1 property. Premier Sports coverage of the season kicks off this Friday 31st August with all seven live games live on Premier Sports and FreeSports. A team of EIGHT of Scotland’s most respected former rugby stars and broadcast experts have been secured for their top-class coverage of the PRO14. Premier Sports are delighted to announce that Scottish Rugby giantsJim Hamilton,Rory Lawson,Doddie Weir,Chris Paterson andAl Kellock (with a total of 320 caps between them) will all feature in their broadcasts of some of Scottish professional rugby’s most exciting encounters of the 2018⁄19 Guinness PRO14 season. The Premier Sports team also includes an experienced and dynamic broadcast trio for the very best in live sports reporting, presentation and commentary; with high profile Scottish TV presenter and former Deacon Blue band memberDougie Vipond, leading sports commentatorRory Hamilton and popular TV presenterEmma Dodds on board. (All biographies below). The line-up in Scotland completes the 19-strong picture for Premier Sports TV talent this season; including Northern Ireland’s Andrew Trimble, Mark Robson and Graham Little with Wales’ Shane Williams, Sam Warburton, Martyn Williams, Eddie Butler, Ross Harries, Sean Holley, Wyn Gruffydd and Lauren Jenkins. Former Scottish international Jim Hamilton, who retired from the game in May 2017 after lifting three English Premiership titles and two European Cups as well as 63 caps for his country said: “I am really excited to be joining the Premier Sports team for this year’s Guinness PRO14 at an exciting time for our game. The Guinness PRO14 has some great teams and some of the world’s best rugby talent on show and now with a huge platform to showcase its talent through Premier Sports coverage.” After a distinguished rugby careerRory Lawson has followed his passion for the game and insight into media first fuelled by his grandfather, the ‘Voice of Rugby’, commentator Bill McLaren who he idolised for his work behind the mic. Rory said: “This is a hugely exciting time for the Guinness PRO14 and it is an honour to be a part of Premier Sports inaugural coverage. The ambition is clear with all 152 matches to be shown live which will give supporters unmatched access to brilliant rugby and a terrific competition. Both Scottish teams look strong and have big ambitions this season. It’s a real privilege to be part of the Premier Sports team and I can’t wait for the season to kick into action.” Lions and Scotland rugby legend Doddie Weir said: “I am thoroughly delighted to be part of the Premier Sports team and commentating on an exciting new season of PRO14 action. You only have to look at the stats to see Guinness PRO14 is clearly producing some great rugby and real entertainment for thousands of rugby fans, so I’m just really pleased to be a part of what looks like a very exciting future for the Championship.” Former Glasgow Warriors Captain Al Kellock said: “It is great to be involved in the Premier Sports team for this season’s PRO14, the Championship has seen changes in structure over the last couple of seasons and this has only added to the quality of the rugby. The PRO14 has some of the most exciting young players around as well as a vast number of experienced internationals and with the Rugby World Cup just around the corner, this season will have an extra edge to it.” Scotland and Edinburgh’s record points scorer of all time Chris Paterson said: “I am delighted and feel privileged to be involved in Premier Sports’ coverage of this year’s Guinness PRO14. I am really looking forward to seeing the Championship play out and to be inspired by the world class talent on show.” Dougie Vipond said: “I’m really excited and honoured to be part of the new Premier Sports team. The Guinness PRO14 is such a vibrant and competitive league which showcases some of the best rugby talent in the world. One of the highlights of my broadcasting career so far, was interviewing Warriors’ captain Al Kellock as he picked up the PRO12 trophy back in 2015. I look forward to sharing many more magic moments this season.” The team will be working with Sunset+Vine, one of rugby’s most experienced and creative independent production companies with a track record that includes seven years of Aviva Premiership coverage with both ESPN and for the past four years, BT Sport. Sunset+Vine’s three-year deal will see them produce more than 200 hours of live rugby coverage for Premier Sports each season including the annual showpiece final at Celtic Park in May 2019. Premier Sports is available in 16 million UK homes across Sky and Virgin platforms and to everyone via the Premier Player https://www.premierplayer.tv/ while FreeSports will be available to 22 million UK homes this season across seven different platforms. Richard Webb, Chief Operating Officer of Premier Sports, who was born and bred in Perth said: “We are absolutely delighted with the team we have leading our coverage in Scotland – we are broadcasting a Championship full of world-class players, with a team of TV talent that reflects that ambition and class of the Guinness PRO14. “We’re delighted and excited to have secured 19 experts at the top of their game as our core team talking up one of the most exciting club rugby competitions in the world. Premier Sports will be broadcasting every game live which will mean more people have access to the whole picture of rugby across the Guinness PRO14 Championship and for just 65p per game – that’s more than ever before all under one roof with a mix of match action and news across Premier Sports 1 & 2 and FreeSports.” Martin Anayi, Chief Executive of Guinness PRO14 Rugby, said: “Ahead of an exciting opening weekend in the Guinness PRO14, I’m delighted to see Premier Sports complete their line-up with the announcement of their Scottish talent. Sunset+Vine have done a great job to assemble a line-up that is both familiar and full of pedigree. Dougie Vipond will bring great verve to the lead presenter’s role while the likes of Chris Paterson, Al Kellock, Rory Lawson and Jim Hamilton have great authority when it comes to analysing the action on the pitch. “As lead commentator Rory Hamilton will bring plenty of energy and Emma Dodds is a terrific addition in the reporter’s role. Everyone at PRO14 Rugby could not be more excited for the season to kick-off on Premier Sports, they have delivered a terrific line-up across Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland and we hope our supporters enjoy this unprecedented coverage that they will bring.” THE PREMIER SPORTS PRO14 TEAM FOR SCOTLAND Dougie Vipond Dougie Vipond has been the host of BBC Scotland’s rugby output on TV and Radio for over a decade, presenting Rugby Sportscene Pro 14, Melrose 7s and Rugby Sportsound. He’s also regularly presented BBC Network’s coverage of Scotland’s Autumn Internationals. Dougie’s love of rugby is matched only by his love of the great outdoors and he is the main presenter of BBC Scotland’s award winning rural affairs series, Landward. He also fronts a monthly alternative sports programme, The Adventure Show, for the same channel. Prior to his broadcasting career, Dougie was a founding member and drummer with the band, Deacon Blue, with whom he continues to record and tour. Doddie Weir Lions and Scotland Rugby legend Doddie Weir made 61 international appearances at lock for his country. His first appearance for Scotland was on 10th August 1990 against Argentina at Murrayfield and he was a mainstay of the international team throughout the 1990s. He was part of the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa in 1997. Born in Edinburgh and educated at Melville College, Doddie enjoyed much of his rugby career playing for Melrose RFC in the Borders and was part of the team that won six Scottish club championships. He moved to England in 1995 to join Newcastle Falcons and was part of the Premiership winning side of 1997-98. In June 2017, Doddie announced he was suffering from Motor Neurone Disease aged 46, and has since set-up a high profile foundation found at www.myname5doddie.co.uk to help raise funds for research into a cure for MND and to provide grants to people living with the condition. Rory Lawson The former Scottish international rugby player, Rory Lawson was first capped against Australia in 2006 and went on to win 31 Caps for his country including two World Cups in 2007 and 2011. His 11-year club career included 3 seasons at Edinburgh rugby and 7 years at Gloucester. His career was cut short due to a career-ending wrist injury in 2013 whilst playing at Newcastle Falcons. Since retiring Lawson has transitioned into life after sport combining entrepreneurialism with media by launching health drink brand CocoPro and covering a range of competitions. His TV and radio work has included punditry and co-commentary for a range of broadcasters including Sky Sports, BBC 5Live, BeIn Sport and World Rugby. His passion for the game and insight into media was first fuelled by his grandfather, ‘Voice of Rugby’, commentator Bill McLaren who he idolised for his work behind the mic. Jim Hamilton Jim Hamilton, retired from playing before the start of last season. He played at the highest levels for over 15 seasons in all 3 of Europe’s top competitions including Guinness PRO12 with Edinburgh, the English Premiership with Leicester, Gloucester and Saracens and in the Top 14 with Montpellier. He won 2 European cups, 3 Premiership trophies, 2 Anglo-Welsh cups, achieved 63 caps for Scotland and played in 2 Rugby World Cups, with two games for the Barbarians. Jim currently works for Rugby Pass doing online content. As well as being a columnist for the times newspaper. Jim has actively working in mainstream tv media as well with BT sport, BBC and ITV. Al Kellock Al Kellock was an inspirational leader for Glasgow Warriors, captaining the side for nine seasons. During his playing career he was one of the most consistent second rows in the GUINNESS PRO12, allowing him to impress on the international stage, being capped 56 times for Scotland and captaining his country. Al announced that he would retire from playing rugby at the end of the 2014⁄15 season after winning the GUINNESS PRO12, being appointed Scottish Rugby Ambassador/Commercial Operations Manager. As well as helping to continue the development of Glasgow Warriors, he engages with the rugby and business communities, supporting commercial initiatives and has recently set up the Scotland Business Club. A former pupil of Bishopbriggs High School, Al played with rivals Edinburgh before moving back home to join the Warriors in 2006 and went on to make more than 150 appearances for the club. His club rugby was initially with Allan Glen’s before he moved to Stirling County. Among many community and charity commitments, Al now supports his club of origin at Allan Glen’s Chris Paterson 109 times capped internationalist, Chris Paterson is both Scotland (809) and Edinburgh’s (783) record points scorer of all time. The first Scotsman to reach a century of caps he is also the only Scottish player to play in 4 Rugby World Cups. His professional career spanned 14 seasons representing Edinburgh, Gloucester and Scotland and he played his club rugby for Gala RFC in the Scottish Borders. After retiring from the game in 2012 he has worked as a specialist skills coach and Ambassador for Scottish Rugby. Since 2012 he has been co-commentator and analyst on the BBC’s Six Nations and Autumn Test coverage, BT Sport’s Champions Cup and the 2015 Rugby World Cup amongst others. He was awarded the MBE from the Queen in 2012 for services to Scottish Rugby. Rory Hamilton Rory’s early roles in broadcasting were in production working on Scottish football and the Magners League, moving into commentary in 2009 with his debut match on the mic watching Edinburgh against Connacht and then covering rugby for STV and Radio Scotland as well as 7s rugby for Sky Sports. Rory’s commentary experience then moved to football working on live games with Sky Sports and then last year with BT Sport covering SPFL, Betfred Cup, Europa League and Champions League. Emma Dodds An established sports presenter and reporter Emma has worked for an array of broadcasters, currently seen on BT Sport’s football coverage and formerly of BSkyB, Warner Bros, The Arab Media Group. Her extensive experience within the industry has offered the opportunity to work on many flagship sporting events such as the Champions League, 2015 Rugby World Cup, 2016 Summer and 2018 Winter Olympics, plus annual European Tour golf events. A regular on the World Rugby Sevens Series too, particularly in Dubai where she has hosted the flagship Match Live show in recent years. Often spotted at Scotstoun or Murrayfield supporting Scotland’s Pro14 representatives. ABOUT PREMIER SPORTS Premier Sports was founded in 2009 and operates three sports TV channels in the UK. Premier Sports 1 is on Sky channel 412 and Virgin channel 551. Premier Sports 2 is on Sky channel 435 and Virgin Channel 552. FreeSports is available free on Sky Channel 422, Virgin Media Channel 553, on Channel 95 on Freeview and BT and on Freesat Channel 252. Both Premier Sport channels are available on a subscription basis for just £9.99 per month on Sky and on the Premier Sport player. The channels are also available to pubs, clubs and other commercial premises throughout the UK. Premier Sports and FreeSports also hold ice hockey rights for the NHL, CHL, SHL, KHL weekly highlights and the IIHF World Championships. It is also the home of NASCAR Monster Energy Cup & GAA along with football from Europe. Premier Sports: First Month Free offer to all customers on Sky. Every game live & “one stop shop” for PRO14 in the UK.Value Proposition: less than £2.50 per week or 65p per game. For more information: Premier Sports: www.premiersports.com FreeSports: www.freesports.tv
