TV3 yesterday confirmed it had beat main rival RTE to secure the rights to broadcast the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
The broadcaster confirmed speculation it had won the coveted rights after an intense bidding war with TV licencefunded RTE.
Under the terms of the deal, the station will manage the broadcast of live coverage of all 48 matches and will also deliver a TV, digital and mobile highlights offering.
All of the Ireland matches and final stages of the tournament will be broadcast free-to-air. The news comes just four weeks after Ireland beat France in Paris to win the RBS 6 Nations title, giving a climactic ending to legend Brian O'Driscoll's, pictured, international career. It is a welcome boost for the broadcaster which recently lost out to Sky Sport in its bid to retain the rights to air GAA All-Ireland football and hurling semi-finals and finals.
TV3 group director of broadcasting Niall Cogley will over see the station's rugby coverage as executive producer.
TV3 group chief executive David McRedmond described the news as "tremendous'', predicting that the world cup would be "the stand out sporting event in 2015" and would anchor the station's autumn schedule next year.
Chairman of Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) Bernard Lapasset said Ireland had traditionally been "a strong and passionate rugby market''.
RWCL head of commercial, broadcast and marketing Murray Barnett said England 2015 was on track to deliver a record number of broadcasters, live hours and digital coverage that would maximise "exposure and engagement". TV3 chiefs said they expected that the station would broadcast about 20 matches on TV3 and the remainder on 3e, although they did not rule out some sub-licenses to other Irish broadcasters. Announcements on the teams involved in studio, commentary and touchline broadcasts will be revealed in due course.
Rugby World Cup kicks off on September 18 2015.