As the 2019 Rugby World Cup prepares to kick off later this month, BBC Cymru Wales has announced a full line-up of content to keep fans up to date with all of the action.
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With Wales one of the favourites to lift the World Cup, it’s #TimeToBelieve and BBC Wales will broadcast an array of programmes to ensure fans don’t miss a single try. Featuring a host of experts and talent – from established commentary teams to current and former players and even a Love Island star – a range of content is scheduled across television and radio, as well as online and in new podcasts.
Every Wales game will be live on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru, and both stations will bring listeners all the build-up to each game.
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On television, commentator and former Welsh captain Eddie Butler is back to help kick off the tournament with his hit preview programme Eddie Butler’s World Cup. He will be joined by a host of expert guests – including Shane Williams, Ken Owens, Mike Phillips, Jonathan Davies, Glen Webbe, Hadleigh Parkes and Josh Adams – as he looks ahead to the tournament and reviews Wales’ performances in previous World Cups.
Tomos Dafydd and Lowri Roberts will have all the latest news from the Wales camp for Wales Today and Newyddion, as well as on Radio Wales and Radio Cymru. They’ll be reporting live from all the crucial World Cup games, securing interviews with key players and speaking to fans that have made the journey to Japan.
Scrum V will also return with a Rugby World Cup Special featuring Ross Harries and Lowri Morgan on each game day and in Gareth Edwards: In The Eye of The Storm, Gareth explores Apartheid and his time on the 1968 Lions tour to South Africa.
On Radio Wales, former international Jonathan Davies will present Jiffy’s World Cup Breakfast every Friday throughout the tournament alongside former Wales Women’s player Philipa Tuttiett, where they will host a weekly phone-in. Meanwhile Sunday Morning with… Scott Quinnell – co-hosted with Amanda Protheroe-Thomas – will feature music, entertainment and conversation around the tournament.
BBC Radio Wales Editor Colin Paterson said:
“I’m pleased that BBC Radio Wales will be bringing listeners every Wales game live, and it’s great to have some the biggest names in Welsh rugby such as Jonathan, Philippa and Scott, joining our team.”
Full match commentary of every Wales game can also be heard on BBC Radio Cymru, with the trusted voice of Gareth Charles. Joining the Radio Cymru team will also be former Under-20 Grand Slam winner and son of Wales forwards coach, Billy McBryde, Welsh Women’s international Dyddgu Hywel and actor and stadium announcer Rhys ap William. Aled Hughes’s morning show will provide the build up to the weekday games, giving an insight into the quirkier aspects of the tournament, and Radio Cymru, will have their own special Rugby World Cup song recorded by Gwilym – the band which recently had five top hits in the station’s 2019 music charts.
Radio Cymru will also tell Shane Williams’s Japanese tale in Siapan Shane. Having spent time in Japan playing for the Mitsubishi Dynaboars, Shane will talk listeners through his experiences and guide Welsh rugby fans through the culture and traditions of the host nation.
BBC Radio Cymru and Cymru Fyw Editor Rhuanedd Richards said:
“I am delighted that Gareth Charles will provide live commentary from Japan on BBC Radio Cymru for every Wales game, and that the station will uncover and celebrate all aspects of the tournament across its schedule. Welsh language audiences will also find the latest information and analysis from the Rugby World Cup on BBC Cymru Fyw as well as a brand new ‘Clwb Rygbi’ podcast from Japan on BBC Sounds.”
Additionally, Welsh Love Island star, Callum Macleod, will be presenting a series of social media videos on BBC Wales’ feeds, which will see the aircraft engineer from South Wales speak to fanatical fans about their love for Wales.
And fans can also listen to podcasts from Scrum V, Clwb Rygbi and Jiffy’s World Cup Breakfast on BBC Sounds, plus read exclusive blogs online by Welsh stars Hadleigh Parkes on BBC Sport Wales and Ken Owens on Cymru Fyw.
