Champions Cup matches will be shown live on free-to-air television in the UK and Ireland next season for the first time since 2003, The Talk of Rugby can reveal.

It is understood EPCR, the tournament organisers, are on the verge of striking a deal with Channel 4 and Irish station TV3 to bring European Cup matches back on terrestrial television for the first time since 2003.

The deal will see at least one match shown on Channel 4 and TV3 during each of the six pool stages and may also include some of the knock-out stages.

BT Sport, the pay-TV broadcasters, secured the rights last July to show the majority of the matches from next season to 2022. The tournament is currently shared between BT Sport and Sky Sports.

However EPCR indicated last summer it was also been keen to accept bids for some limited free-to-air coverage in order to boost the profile of the tournament and an announcement to confirm the Channel 4 and TV3 is expected next month.