GO Plus has announced that it has acquired exclusive broadcast rights for a number of prestigious club and international rugby tournaments until 2010. As a result of the initiative, rugby fans and even sports enthusiasts in general will have the unique opportunity to watch outstanding rugby live on Sports+, the company said. The exclusive rugby competitions include the Guinness Premiership, Barclays Churchill Cup, the EDF Energy Cup, England Autumn Internationals and the ERC Heineken Cup for the entire season which kicks off later this week.

Over the coming weekend, GO Plus sports viewers will be sharing the excitement lined up for the start of the ERC Heineken Cup tournament. Friday night action will build up with the fixtures for Round 1 of the competition at Ravenhill where 1999 winners Ulster rugby will host Gloucester rugby.

To celebrate in style the broadcast of these rugby matches, all rugby fans are invited to an event at The Alley in Paceville on Friday from 8.30pm onwards, during which they can watch live the ERC Heineken Cup match Ulster vs Gloucester which will be broadcast live. Free Cisk lager and food, courtesy of Cisk Lager and XFM, will be served to all registered Malta Rugby Football Union members.

Meanwhile, other matches shown on GO Plus channel 803 include the Saturday 10 November match Leinster vs Leicester at 1430 hours, Edinburgh vs Toulouse at 1630 hours and Wasps vs Munster at 1830 hours. Cardiff vs Bristol will be shown at 1400 hours on Sunday 11 November.

The ERC Heineken Cup has grown from humble beginnings twelve years ago into one of the world's most popular rugby tournaments annually featuring 24 elite teams spread across six countries - England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. The outstanding sports event never fails to provide tens of thousands of fans in Europe and the rest of the world with the amazing spectacle of rugby at its very best.

In the coming weeks, GO Plus will be giving viewers more details on forthcoming rugby fixtures. Meanwhile for more information on rugby matches and other live sports scheduled for broadcast on GO Plus throughout November and December, customers can visit the website at www.go.com....mt or call anytime on GO's customer care Freephone 8007 2121.