More
rugby legends join Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Six Nations line-up
 Former
international rugby captains Keith Wood, Sean Fitzpatrick,
Andy Nicol and Will Carling have all joined the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
television rugby team covering the 2004 RBS Six Nations.
Keith
Wood will be a studio guest at most games involving Ireland, as
well as being a regular guest on Rugby Special and commentating
for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Interactive service.
Sean Fitzpatrick will be a pitchside reporter, spotting incidents
and bringing news updates for viewers.
Sean
comments: "I am very excited at the opportunity of working
with the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ.
"The
success of the English team has added to the popularity of the game
in the Northern Hemisphere and throughout the rugby world and I
am delighted to be part of the hype.
"I'm
sure the Six Nations will be a must-see competition and I'm looking
forward to some close games and some outstanding rugby."
Andy
Nicol will be a studio guest for most games involving Scotland,
as well as providing co-commentary.
Will
Carling will guest in the studio and occasionally on Rugby Special.
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's
Rugby Editor Carl Hicks said: "These guys have played at the
very top of the game and will bring a wealth of knowledge and insight
to our team.
"Working
with Jeremy Guscott and Jonathan Davies, they will add colour and
comment and really unlock the game's secrets for viewers."
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's
Interactive service
has signed up John Beattie, Dick Best, Damian Hopley
and Jon Sleightholme to provide expert comment on each game.
By
pressing the red button on their TV handset, digital viewers will
see the game as a full screen with an information bar at the bottom
featuring viewers' text questions.
Interactive
will act as an educational tool, where viewers new to rugby can
ask whatever entry level questions they like of the experts.
Ref
Link and replay matches and analysis will also feature on Interactive,
and viewers can select local commentary from Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Wales, Scotland
and Northern Ireland.
There
will also be competitions to win RBS Six Nations tickets.
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's
Head of Rugby Pat Younge said: "The interactive service on
digital TV is particularly important for new viewers to rugby as
our experts will be going back to basics to explain what is going
on.
"Viewers
have the chance to text or email in questions and the guys will
address the queries on screen.
"For
the first time ever, viewers also get extra analysis on each game
with the half hour forum on digital TV once we come off air on terrestrial."
Studio
presenters fronting the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's main coverage are Steve Rider,
John Inverdale, Jill Douglas and Craig Doyle,
with regular studio guests Jonathan Davies and Jeremy
Guscott.
The
television commentary team is Eddie Butler, Nick Mullins,
Brian Moore, Philip Matthews, Gareth Charles,
Jim Neilly, Andrew Cotter and Jonathan Davies, with
pitchside reporters Jill Douglas, Sonja McLaughlan and Craig
Doyle, who will be working with new signings Keith Wood, Andy Nichol
and Sean Fitzpatrick.
Related
releases
Six
Nations 2004 - live and exclusive on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ - with timetable of
matches (16.01.04)
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
programmes helping to get kids active during Six Nations (04.02.04)
Six
Nations back on terrestrial television with the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ (12.07.02)
All
the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's digital services are now available on ,
the new free-to-view digital terrestrial television service, as well
as on satellite and cable. Freeview
offers the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's eight television channels, interactive services
from Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔi, as well as 11 national Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ radio networks.
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