Mark Durden-Smith steered proceedings at Twickenham from a mobile studio in the West Car Park during the opening weekend © Getty Images

While the Premiership's finest went toe-to-toe in the opening clashes of the new season earlier his month there was a slightly less brutal but equally intriguing battle beginning off the field between the two rival broadcasters.

The season opened at Twickenham with a new name in ESPN but a familiar face in the form of host Mark Durden-Smith. The 41-year-old began his broadcasting career with Sky Sports and was at the helm of their rugby union output for several years before venturing into the wider entertainment field with amongst other things the short-lived Channel 4 breakfast show RI:SE and the ITV2's I'm a Celebrity spin-off. But now he's back and it's as if he's never been away. His ease with the live environment and comfort with the sport appear to be huge positives for ESPN's coverage.

But Durden-Smith is just one member of a crew labelled the 'A-Team' by one observer. In this 80s TV-themed picture, Durden-Smith is 'Face', grey-haired commentator Nick Mullins is 'Hannibal', the BA-styled muscle comes from Ben Kay while the livewire that is Austin Healey is 'Murdock'. Which leaves Sarra Elgan as the ever-changing but no less welcome female sidekick. We'll be able to decide come the Premiership Final - that they will offer exclusively - if their 'plan has come together'.

The Sky Sports line-up has a tried and tested feel with Simon Lazenby - who filled Durden-Smith's shoes - in the hosting chair alongside the assured analysis of Dewi Morris, Will Greenwood and Stuart Barnes who also form part of the standard-setting commentary team alongside Miles Harrison. This talent pool also form the basis of the midweek magazine show and appointment-to-view that is The Rugby Club - an avenue yet to be explored by their rivals.

ESPN's bid to shake-up the coverage of the sport involves the use of a mobile studio based on that pioneered by their College GameDay show in the United States. And free of the confines of a purpose-built studio high up in the stands or above The Shed at Kingsholm or wherever, their coverage definitely has a fresh feel. It debuted in the West Car Park at Twickenham where a few thousand drunk fans largely behaved themselves in the background - shame some didn't inside the stadium - but time will tell if the novelty for the presenters and viewers remains come a wintry night at Kingston Park or Edgeley Road.

In terms of analysis, ESPN also have a trump card in Healey who has carved himself an impressive reputation with stints on the BBC. He can expect to be kept busy in the coming months and his cross-channel banter with Sky's Greenwood - on-air, on Twitter or wherever -could bring something new to both productions. The relationship between both channels in general appears quite friendly due largely to economic factors and Sky's promotion of ESPN games is a generous act that can only help the newcomer and the Premiership in general.

Kay is the wildcard having recently retired from the game but he has already shown a natural ability to provide clarity and insight whilst also giving his former Leicester team-mate Healey plenty of his own medicine. He may lack the authority of Barnes but the Sky Sports veteran has experience on his side.

Behind the microphone, Sky Sports' Miles Harrison also has an able foe in Mullins. Both can boast BBC backgrounds but Harrison has long since made his home in the pay-per-view realms and on the back of Sky Sports' ground-breaking production has cemented his place as the best commentator in the game.

Sky Sports' award-winning production also includes the obligatory telestrator and the 'minutemaster' scoring timeline but ESPN's 'Axis', used previously elsewhere by the network, is a welcome addition to Premiership coverage. As for the clock that counts down rather than up? Hmmmm.

Anyway. With two of the biggest names in sport broadcasting going head-to-head with their coverage of this season's Premiership the outlook for fans, viewers and the sport in general is bright - almost as garish as the all-encompassing advertising offered by the Premiership's new title sponsor.

Who is going to get their hands on all this silverware? © Getty Images

Get the beers in and reserve your favourite seat in the front room because this Saturday offers an unprecedented feast of action for the armchair fan from around the globe. For UK-based fans, the action kicks off at 4.05pm (BST) allowing you plenty of time to do the shopping and any other jobs around the house that will grant you sole control of the TV remote for the rest of the day.

First up is the historic Super 14 Final showdown between the Bulls and the Stormers at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg. The Soweto-based stadium played host to a party-like atmosphere last weekend as the Bulls swept the Crusaders aside and another bumper crowd will be on hand to see if Frans Ludeke's star-studded side can make it back-to-back titles. They will be favourites to do just that but former Bulls star and now Stormers speedster Bryan Habana might have something to say about that.

Italian rugby fans may be keen to point out that this season's Super 10 Final between Benetton Treviso and Arix Viadana will follow in Padova but for the majority it will be a simple press of a button to switch to the Guinness Premiership Final at Twickenham where Leicester and Saracens will go head-to-head for the English crown - and a lucky few may be able to take in the clash in 3D. We don't know whether Sarries boss Brendan Venter will be in south west London for the game, due to kick off at 5.30pm (BST), because of his touchline ban and pending appeal but with or without him, his side are unlikely to take a backward step. The Tigers, like the Bulls, are chasing back-to-back domestic titles and will not be wanting for motivation after Sarries handed them a rare home defeat during the regular season.

Viewers face a small dilemma at 6.30pm (BST) when a packed house at the RDS in Dublin will play host to the first ever Magners League Grand Final between hosts Leinster and Welsh rivals Ospreys. Stripped of their Heineken Cup crown earlier this season, Leinster will be keen to replace it with the celtic rugby's biggest prize but the Ospreys will no doubt relish the opportunity to spoil the party and trump Cardiff Blues' recent European Challenge Cup Final success.

From there it may require a little bit of channel-hopping to ensure you are up-to-date with the Top 14 Final clash between Perpignan and Clermont Auvergne at the Stade de France that will kick off at 7.45pm (BST). After a season largely dominated by the French, it is perhaps fitting that the latest battle for the Bouclier de Brennus brings the curtain down on the European season. Clermont have lost a remarkable ten Championship finals and the last three on the bounce and you're left wondering what another would do to them but they will get little sympathy from their Catalan rivals who pipped them at this stage last year.

All in all, an epic day awaits and for those unable to do so from the comfort of their armchair, or those lucky enough to be attending one of the games, you can stay on top of all the action right here on Scrum.com or via our mobile site http://m.scrum.com

3D cameras take in the final round of this year's Masters tournament at Augusta © Getty Images

This blog has touched on the subject of 3D previously, but having witnessed the technology at close hand earlier this week at the Premiership awards I felt compelled to return to the topic - such was the impression it made on me.

Fans were given the opportunity to sample the technology on a cinema screen during this year's Six Nations with mixed reviews reaching us here at Scrum.com - but there is no holding back the 3D tide.

Sky Sports are one of the major players in driving this technology and they took Premier League football to the masses for the first time in the New Year with Arsenal's clash with Manchester United broadcast in 3D in selected pubs. Further football games followed and rugby fans finally got a taste of the action with Leicester's recent Premiership semi-final victory over Bath the first to get the same treatment. This was the game they were re-showing (or should that be showing off?) earlier this week and understandably so.

I must admit I was a little dismissive of this technology at first and as a result did not go out of my way to sample it first hand but having done so it is now quite clear why so many people, broadcasters (including ESPN) and manufacturers are convinced that this is the next big thing.

ESPN will launch its 3D-dedicated channel in the United States (via DirecTV and Comcast) in time for the Fifa World Cup while Sky have previously said the technology will reach UK households before the end of the year with viewers having to stump up for the privilege in both cases. While consumers in the UK can currently access High Definition technology for free, if in possession of the right receiver, it is unclear whether the likes of the BBC will embrace 3D technology in the same way having only previously hinted that will do so at the 2012 Olympics. We can only hope they do and use it to showcase the Six Nations for which they hold the rights of until 2013.

The cost of 3D TVs remains a barrier for the average consumer but it is hoped that the latest innovation will help convince them to dig deep. Many viewers, myself included, are still to be convinced by the full-on promotional campaign behind HD with the associated costs again the problem. And that product's battle for airtime will no doubt soon be usurped by its flashier rival that for me holds all the aces.

And for those wanting to judge for themselves - tomorrow's Heineken Cup Final between Biarritz and Toulouse will be broadcast in 3D with the Premiership Final and the England v Barbarians clashes to follow - find out where by clicking here.

Whilst we're on the subject of rugby in your living room, I noted with interest the International Rugby Board's decision to put the UK broadcast rights of the Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand and the Rugby World Cup 2015 in England out to tender this week.

An invitation to tender document will be distributed to "qualifying interested parties on 1st June with responses requested by close of business 2nd July 2010" with "qualifying" the key word.

The IRB stressed this week that, "Interested organisations with the necessary stature, experience, financial resources and ability to reach a national audience for this major international sports event will be considered to be qualified to participate in the bid process.

"All applicants wishing to participate in the process should provide a brief outline of their organization, including major international sports rights broadcast experience and financial structure."

The tournament final (but not every game) is currently on the protected list of sports events that must be free-to-air in the UK and commercial broadcaster ITV have held the rights since 1991. Rumours are rife that the BBC will enter the equation this time around due to England's successful bid to host the 2015 tournament with the less TV audience-friendly New Zealand tournament added to the package in a bid to ensure maximum revenue.

With no rugby portfolio we can assume Five will not enter what is set to be an intense bidding war but could Sky, who set the bar in terms of rugby coverage in the UK, or dare I say ESPN enter the equation despite both being a subscription-based product? The existing legislation would suggest no but maybe a joint bid with one of their domestic rivals to share costs with a condition that games featuring the Home Nations remain free? Top commentary duo Miles Harrison and Stuart Barnes were 'loaned' to ITV for the last tournament and maybe there will be a more significant sharing of talent next time around?

Will 3D add a new dimension to this year's Six Nations Championship? © Getty Images

The annual contest for the Six Nations crown often sets the standard both on and off the field and this year's battle for northern hemisphere supremacy will continue that trend with England's home matches set to be broadcast in 3D.

The clash against Wales on February 6 will be Europe’s first sports event to be screened live in 3D, according to England’s team sponsor O2. The match will be broadcast live in 3D at 40 Odeon and Cineworld cinemas and the cost of this feast for the eyes? Just £12.50 - a fraction of what it would cost you to go to Twickenham - that's if you can get your hands on a ticket - leaving you a bit of hard-earned cash to spend on your popcorn. And if you enjoy the experience then you can do it all again for the match against Ireland on February 27.

It certainly is an exciting innovation and the communal viewing experience harks back to the days when boxing used to be broadcast to the masses via movie theatres in the United States - long before the days before 24/7 sports networks. Interestingly enough, that sport has recently returned to those routes with the added element of high definition. Let's just hope that England put on a show worthy of the innovation and not a repeat of the dour stuff served up in the autumn.

Despite being in its infancy, this year has already been a big one for 3D what with the runaway success of director James Cameron's Avatar film. The blockbuster, that is set to become the highest-grossing film of all-time, opened our eyes to what the technology can do and we are all set to become hooked.

ESPN are at the forefront of the drive to bring top-class sport into your living room. Our broadcast colleagues announced last week that the industry's first 3D network will begin broadcasting in the United States later this year. ESPN 3D will showcase a minimum of 85 live sporting events during its first year, beginning June 11 with the first 2010 FIFA World Cup match, featuring South Africa versus Mexico, ESPN and ABC Sports president George Bodenheimer announced. Other events to be produced in 3D include the 2011 BCS National Championship Game, college basketball and football contests, up to 25 World Cup matches and the Summer X Games. Additional events will be announced at a later date.

"ESPN's commitment to 3D is a win for fans and our business partners," Bodenheimer said in a statement. "ESPN 3D marries great content with new technology to enhance the fan's viewing experience and puts ESPN at the forefront of the next big advance for TV viewing."

ESPN has been testing ESPN 3D for more than two years, even showing a USC-Ohio State college football game in select cinemas and to 6,000 fans at the Galen Center on USC's campus.

You will of course have to stump up for a 3D HDTV and acquire some 3D glasses (although there are hopes for a glasses-free version) to see how good it looks in your living room and that will not be cheap with The Guardian reporting that a compatible TV will cost around $2,000 with subscription fees on top. But Sony, Panasonic and Samsung are all reportedly rushing to put out 3D TV models, several of which were promoted at the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, in anticipation of a high demand.

It may be some time before you can watch the Six Nations in 3D in your living room - the BBC of course have the rights to the Championship - so you may have to make do with a visit to your local multiplex.

UPDATE - Appears to be plenty of consumer-driven buzz around this subject - thanks largely to the media-magnet that is the CES. Exciting times. Interesting take from analysts Zpryme:

"HDTV never had a “killer app” and has consequently taken a decade to gain any real traction—and even then, it’s been largely a result of rapidly falling prices and last year’s switch to digital. Avatar, however, has clearly presented consumers—and the industry at large—with a compelling case for going 3D."
– Alex Perilla-Gayle, Zpryme Director of Consumer Insights