RBS Six Nations News: Gareth Thomas Launches New Online Welsh Rugby TV Channel

As we line up for the start of the RBS Six Nations, a new online Welsh rugby TV channel launches with its selection of the high profile international and Cardiff Blues star Gareth Thomas as its main presenter. The South Wales based online subscription tv venture welshrugby.tv has been created to deliver insight on the real stories in Welsh rugby for Welsh rugby supporters worldwide – with independent comment from Gareth "Alfie" Thomas - one of Welsh rugby’s biggest characters, as the main host for the channel during the RBS 6 Nations Championship. Click here to view Alfie telling us why he’s involved and what he thinks welshrugby.tv should be. The versatile player now moves into a presenter’s role, hosting the regular The Welsh Rugby Show on welshrugby.tv, which kicks off this week. Thomas won his 100th cap for Wales against Fiji during the Rugby World Cup in 2007, was Captain of Wales’s Grand Slam winning team in 2005 and captained the British and Irish Lions on their tour of New Zealand in the same year. Thomas is keen to give fans the inside track on issues and stories about the game in Wales, and the welshrugby.tv site will provide the Welsh rugby supporter with a unique combination of the latest rugby news, professional and creative video content, analysis and opinion. welshrugby.tv will produce a ‘behind the scenes’ look at all aspects of Welsh rugby, including: the 6 Nations campaign, the summer tour and the Autumn internationals, the regions, club and community rugby and player profiles. Thomas will be joined by a range of top flight and local club players, giving their views and insight into the raw truth of how things really are for those involved in the game. Thomas said: “Without doubt, Welsh rugby supporters are the most knowledgeable, passionate and committed fans worldwide. As I know from my own experience, rugby in Wales is far more than a game, it’s a part of who we are and I’m really pleased to be part of a team that’s giving real information and comment from behind the scenes, and I hope, will inspire the true Welsh rugby supporter.” Market research by the team behind the venture has shown that rugby supporters want to have different types of programming and video clips from what is already available either online, in print or on screen. Carwyn Jones from Llantrisant commented “At last, someone’s listening to what we want – we want to be able to hear the voice and views of the real Welsh rugby supporter alongside that of the usual rugby pundits – and for them to take notice of what we’re saying.” With that in mind, as well as the The Welsh Rugby Show and the latest news at international and regional level, welshrugby.tv will host blogs, supporters’ forums and through the Clubzone section of the site will offer rugby clubs across Wales, the opportunity to post information on their club and upload their own videos.” Tom Stroud, CEO of Webcast Global explained “Welsh rugby supporters have been saying that they want to get the bare truth and be involved with rugby in Wales at all levels pro levels. We’re really looking forward to delivering a full schedule of both live and on-demand (pre-recorded) programmes, looking at elite rugby, community and grass roots level as well as being a part of the development of the game in Wales through our skills and coaching programming schedule.” Richard Owen, Director of Red Shoes added: “We’re passionate about producing great content that will deliver Welsh rugby in the raw – at its best and without being shy of asking the crunch questions.” www.welshrugby.tv