Welsh Rugby Union, BBC Sign Autumn Tests Deal For Wales Games Until 2018

The BBC has agreed a new four-year deal with the Welsh Rugby Union to screen Wales' home autumn Tests until '18. The contract ensures viewers will be able to watch Wales' 2013 British and Irish Lions stars on the BBC network and online. WRU CEO Roger Lewis said the deal is "incredibly significant for the future of Welsh rugby." The agreement also covers potential one-off Test matches, such as fixtures played in the month of June before a summer tour, but does not include any games which will be scheduled in the "warm-up" period before the 2015 Rugby World Cup. The WRU also intends to ensure Saturday afternoon kick-offs become standard for autumn internationals as of '14 (BBC).