Five matches from the elite Super 8 competition including the inaugural Grand Final will be televised live and free-view on Premier Sports TV, Sky channel 433, on Wednesday evenings from January 26.

The Super 8 competition features the finest Student Rugby League sides in the country including Loughborough University and Leeds Met Carnegie and teams are invited to enter only after meeting strict licensing criteria.

Matt Jeffery, Student Rugby League Manager said: “This is a tremendous boost for Student Rugby League and demonstrates the level of our ambition for the Super 8 competition.   

“We are very excited that the matches will be showcased live and free-view and I’m sure that Rugby League fans will enjoy what may well be their first taste of Student Rugby League.”

Loughborough University host Gloucestershire University will the following week before the cameras travel to the North East for the final week of the regular season on Wednesday February 9 when Northumbria University will take on UCLAN.

Headingley Carnegie Stadium is the venue for the televised Play-off Semi Final on Wednesday February 16 with another Super League venue, the Rapid Solicitors Stadium, Wakefield hosting the inaugural Grand Final a week later on February 23.

Viewers with a Sky dish, decoder and card will be able to watch all of the games free of charge.

Premier Sports TV executive Richard Webb said: “We are delighted to be able to offer for the first time a television platform for Super 8. 

“Our channel broadcasts 5 live NRL games every week but this gives us the chance to raise the profile of the game back home. 

“We are really excited to be able to showcase Rugby League at this level to the widest possible audience and I am sure fans will be amazed at the quality of sides competing. 

“The weather got the better of attempts to cover the student Test Match at the end of last year but we hope this coverage more and makes up for that disappointment. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank those behind the scenes who have worked tirelessly to bring this concept to a reality.”

Coverage for the Wednesday evening fixtures will be presented by Ian Ramsdale and start at 7.15pm with the games scheduled to kick off at 7.30pm.

The Super 8 competition was originally formed as the Super 6 in 2008 and since its inception has gone from strength to strength.

The eight Super 8 sides are: Northumbria University, St Mary's University, University of Gloucestershire, Edge Hill University, University of Hull, Leeds Met Carnegie, University of Central Lancashire and Loughborough University.

For Super 8 fixtures and league tables visit http://www.bucs.org.uk/page.asp?section=14401§ionTitle=Super+8

For more information on Student Rugby League visit www.studentrl.com 

SRL Super 8 broadcast schedule

Gloucestershire University v Edge Hill University

Wednesday January 26, Prince of Wales Stadium, KO 7.30pm

Loughborough University v Gloucestershire University

Wednesday February 2, Loughborough University, KO 7.30pm

Northumbria University v University of Central Lancashire

Wednesday February 9, venue TBC, KO 7.30pm

Super 8 Play-off Semi Final

Wednesday February 16, Headingley Carnegie Stadium, KO 7.30pm

Super 8 Grand Final

Wednesday February 23, Rapid Solicitors Stadium, Wakefield, KO 7.30pm