Sky Sports are demanding £70,000 from RTE for the rights to delayed transmission of Ireland's opening Six Nations match against England at Twickenham on Saturday.

An RTE source confirmed that the figure represents a hike of £50,000 on the fee tabled by Sky for the corresponding fixture two years ago. A spokesperson for the IRFU said that while it was unfortunate the game would not be available on terrestrial television, it was not a matter for them.

The IRFU rejected all suggestions that it might be appropriate if they directed some of the £2.5 million they received from the RFU in compensation for the deal the English union cut with Sky three years ago to meet the cost of broadcasting Saturday's game across the country.

"The IRFU sees this as an issue between the two broadcasters. Naturally, it would be ideal if the game was available to everyone, but this is a matter for the two parties concerned to resolve," the IRFU spokesperson said.

It was also pointed out that the monies owed by the RFU have not been received yet.

While UTV will be broadcasting a highlights package of Ireland's encounter at Twickenham, RTE will be unable to provide any coverage unless they meet Sky's demands.

This latest development represents a growing trend in exorbitant broadcast demands. Last November, Irish soccer fans were denied pictures of Ireland's vital away play-off clash against Turkey when the local network demanded a reputed £1 million from RTE for the rights to pictures.

The domestic network will be broadcasting the rest of Ireland's Six Nations programme live.