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.