Sky renews Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup rugby rights

Sky Sports has renewed its rights to Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup rugby union in a new four-year deal with competition organiser European Rugby Cup (ERC).

Starting in autumn 2014, the agreement will extend the longstanding relationship between ERC and the satellite broadcaster into its 15th year.

Under the deal, Sky will exclusively screen live matches from each of the first six rounds of the Heineken Cup, as well as all knockout stages and the final.

For the Challenge Cup, the pay TV giant will cover the opening stages, knockout matches, both semi-finals and the final itself.

Combined, the two tournaments will give viewers the chance to enjoy more than 60 live games across eight months.

Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports, said: "We have been pleased to be partners with the ERC for over a decade and see their tournaments grow."

ERC chief executive Derek McGrath added: "We look forward to working together over the next six seasons as the Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup reach new heights."

However, Sky has lost the live rights to Aviva Premiership rugby, which will be screened exclusively by BT for four years from 2013-14.