Setanta SportsNorth America will be the exclusive live online broadcaster of the 2007 IRB Rugby World Cup.

The third-largest sporting event in the world will be accessible to US rugby fans via Setanta’s broadband service, which will exclusively carry live online coverage of all 48 matches, including original in-country commentating, pre and post-match analysis as well as half time programming.

Player interviews, classic footage and other behind-the-scenes extras are also part of the special “Tournament Ticket” package, which will sell for $119.99.

Rugby Magazine estimates that nearly 250,000 people in North America play rugby today.
“Participation in and viewership of rugby has been growing at an accelerating rate in the US in recent years,” says Nigel Melville, CEO of USA Rugby, said. “We expect the Rugby World Cup, already the sport’s iconic global event, to further energize interest both abroad and here in North America.”

Setanta’s Rugby World Cup programming will also be available via satellite, CCTV, Residential PPV and IPTV. Language rights include English, Japanese, Italian and Spanish commentary.

In addition, fans in Bermuda, the Caribbean and the Republic of Ireland will be able to tune in to the World Cup on a non-exclusive basis.