The International Rugby Board (IRB) has announced that the BBC will be the host broadcaster for the North versus South IRB Rugby Aid Match: ‘Rebuilding After The Tsunami’. The match will take place at Twickenham on Saturday 5th March and will kick-off at 1430.

IRB Chief Executive Mike Miller said, “We are delighted the BBC is broadcasting the IRB Rugby Aid match live from Twickenham on the afternoon of March 5th. The live TV and radio broadcasts will help us in our aim of raising more than £2 million for the United Nations World Food Programme and it’s work in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean Tsunami.”

“The IRB would like to thank the BBC and the Rugby Football Union for generously agreeing to schedule the kick-off and broadcast of both of the Powergen Cup semi-finals on Sunday 6th March. This means maximum exposure of the North versus South match on Saturday 5th March,” added Mr Miller.

The BBC will have exclusive TV, radio and broadband rights for the UK. The match will be broadcast on BBC One TV and Radio 5 Live Sport Extra. The BBC will also be providing a full international TV feed so that the match can be seen around the world.

BBC Director of Sport, Peter Salmon, said: “BBC is delighted to be the broadcaster for this historic and important match. We intend to use all our platforms – TV, radio and the website – to showcase how the world of rugby can pull together to help the victims of this dreadful disaster.”

The BBC will work with the IRB on interactive fund-raising initiatives around the match and will promote the match during its RBS Six Nations Championship coverage, that starts this Saturday, and on other sports programmes.

Following the appointment of the BBC the IRB will start negotiations with overseas broadcasters with regard to the televising of the match around the world.

Media organisations wishing to use the IRB Rugby Aid: Rebuilding After The Tsunami mark/logo for editorial purposes should contact mailtgreg.thomas@irb.com for a copy.

Further information:
Greg Thomas (IRB) +353 86 819 6149
Caroline Inman(BBC) +44 776 433 5434