Stars from the 2007 Rugby World Cup will be back in action tonight as British Eurosport begins its first broadcast of the French National Rugby Championships Top 14.

The digital sports channel has signed a deal to broadcast live matches from one of the most competitive leagues in world rugby.

The success of French clubs in the Heineken Cup and the attractive style of play found in the Top 14 has attracted some of the leading stars from across the rugby world to play alongside many of the French RWC squad.

World Cup winning captain John Smit will begin the next phase of his career with Clermont, while South African team-mate Percy Montgomery lines up for Perpignan with Samoa giant Henry Tuilagi. All Black scrum-half Bryon Kelleher joins Toulouse. Over 60 foreign players who competed in the 2007 RWC will play in the league for the 2007/08 season.

This weekend's season opener features live action from Dax vs. Toulouse on British Eurosport 2, followed on Saturday with highlights of Stade Francais vs. Clermont and full live coverage of Montpellier vs. Perpignan on British Eurosport.

A regular 30 mins highlights show featuring action from the remaining weekend's matches will also be screened on Sunday evenings.

There will be a weekly live game on Friday evenings on British Eurosport 2 and the channel will broadcast at least one live game in competition weekends on British Eurosport itself.

Simon Crane, Eurosport's UK managing director said: "This is a fantastic addition to our already strong portfolio of international sporting rights. The high standard of matches, world class players and wide ranging coverage clearly mirrors all the best qualities of the channel and shows our desire to continue to secure top quality events for our viewers. Following the TV success of the RWC it is great time to be broadcasting top quality rugby."

Director of British Eurosport Dave Kerr said: "This year's RWC has showcased a host of talented players and we are very excited to have many of them competing week in and week out on British Eurosport and British Eurosport 2. The Top 14 Championship has a great reputation and we look forward to bringing it to rugby fans old and new."

The Top 14 Championships features the following teams:

Albi, Auch, Bayonne, Biarritz, Bourgoin, Brive, Castres, Clermont, Dax, Montauban, Montpellier, Stade Français, Perpignan and Toulouse.

Opening weekend schedule:

Friday October 26th - Dax vs. Toulouse live on British Eurosport 2 at 7.30pm

Saturday October 27th - Stade Francais vs Clermont highlights on British Eurosport at 4.45pm

Saturday October 27th - Montpellier vs Perpignon live on British Eurosport at 7.30pm

Sunday October 28th - Top 14 French Championship round up on British Eurosport at 10.15pm

British Eurosport is available on Sky channel 410, Virgin Media channel 521 and Top Up TV channel 33

British Eurosport 2 is available on Sky channel 411 and Virgin Media channel 525.

Eurosport