FR-UK YouTube Channel Secures UK and Ireland Broadcast Rights to Pro D2

The Pro D2 is finally returning to TV screens in the UK and Ireland

In a major win for rugby fans, the FR-UK YouTube channel has picked up the UK and Ireland broadcast rights to France’s second-tier rugby competition the Pro D2.

The news was revealed on the latest episode of the Eggchasers podcast and marks a bold step in expanding access to French club rugby.

The FR-UK YouTube channel is spearheaded by Eggchasers host Tim Cocker and former England international Joe Worsley.

While the broadcast deal has been agreed for the 2025–2026 season, the channel has also secured five Pro D2 playoff games this season, starting this coming Thursday at 8pm with Provence v Soyaux Angoulême, followed by Colomiers v Montauban on Friday at 8pm. The Top 14 Access Match is not part of this season's deal.

FR-UK will broadcast 35 games in total next season and each game will be available to watch for free in both Ireland and the UK.

It has been years since rugby fans in the UK could watch the Pro D2 and with a growing number of players from the UK and Ireland plying their trade in France’s second division, this announcement will be welcomed by rugby fans in the UK and Ireland.

The Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR) recently entered a long-term partnership with Two Circles, a consultancy and marketing agency, to handle international media rights for the Top 14 and Pro D2.

A major feature of the agreement will be the launch of a dedicated OTT platform in countries without existing broadcast deals. However, it is highly unlikely that this platform will launch in the UK and Ireland now that both the Top 14 and Pro D2 rights have been picked up.

Rugby journalist Francisco Isaac recently highlighted that there are 17 Irish and UK players in the hunt for “Pro D2 play-off glory” and if you want to follow the action live, you now can.