It may yet cause problems for their negotiators seeking to save the Heineken Cup but the Celtic nations yesterday received the expected knock-on benefit from English rugby's new television deal with BT Vision when it was confirmed that Sky Sports is to cover live matches in the RaboDirect Pro12 for the first time.

As Herald Sport predicted after the BT deal was announced last year, an inevitable consequence was that Sky would finally be forced to show the domestic competition run by the Celtic countries some overdue respect.

Doubtless, we can now look forward to informed comment about the intelligent way that the likes of Leinster, Munster and Ulster manage their squads Manchester United-style, in order to compete on two fronts, rather than all the disparaging tosh about how they have an unfair advantage over the English and French clubs who flog their players in this most physically demanding of sports.

Objectivity may not be their thing, but the real bonus for the Pro12 is the way that Sky market the competitions with which they become involved and it should transform the way Celtic rugby is promoted week on week. That will be of particular benefit to Scotland given the way Pro12 rugby has been marginalised by the domestic broadcasters and could be what has long been required to transform the profile of the Scottish game, albeit it may also mean much needed increased scrutiny.

None of this will happen until the new four-year deal gets under way in the 2014/15 season with Sky showing 30 live matches. However, it is a much needed boost for all concerned, particularly since there remains scope for more local broadcasters to pick up some coverage since Celtic Rugby said yesterday it expects further agreements to follow.