The exclusive audio rights for every match of the highly anticipated 2023 Rugby World Cup in France have been secured by the BBC.
The tournament will commence on Friday, 8 September, at Stade de France, featuring the host nation against New Zealand.
They initially missed out on the broadcasting rights, with the entire tournament handed to another channel.
BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport website, and the BBC Sport app will provide live coverage of all 48 matches.
Sir Bill Beaumont expressed his delight at the BBC acquiring the UK audio rights for the Rugby World Cup 2023.
“We are delighted the BBC has secured the UK audio rights for Rugby World Cup 2023,” Sir Bill Beaumont said.
“With almost 100 days to go, France 2023 is shaping-up to be the greatest celebration of rugby and togetherness in the sport’s 200th birthday year and the BBC’s expert storytelling, reporting, commentary and analysis will ensure listeners are at the heart of the celebrations.”
Meanwhile, the Rugby Union Daily podcast will also bring all the news, debate and big issues from France.
England’s World Cup fixtures confirmed with routine route to final
The next tournament will be held in France and the hosts will face New Zealand in a blockbuster opening match in Saint-Denis.
Chile and Tonga are the latest teams to qualify for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
The finals work the same way as the 2019 tournament with the first two teams in each pool progressing to the quarter-finals, which will be contested by knock-out matches.
If we suppose the top-ranked teams each win their pools and the second-ranked teams finish runners-up then the quarter-finals in 2023 could look something like this…
- Wales vs Argentina
- South Africa vs France
- England vs Australia
- New Zealand vs Ireland
World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “The draw is a key milestone on the journey to Rugby World Cup France 2023, and the time when the tournament truly comes to life for teams and players alike.
“It enables key operational elements to be undertaken such as venue allocation, optimal match schedule development and the ticketing programme.”
FULL 2023 RUGBY WORLD CUP DRAW:
POOL A
- New Zealand
- France
- Italy
- Uruguay
- Namibia
POOL A FIXTURES:
- Sep 8: France vs New Zealand (Pool A) – Stade de France, Saint-Denis
- Sep 9: Italy vs Namibia (Pool A) – Stade Geoffroy Guichard, Saint-Etienne
- Sep 14: France vs Uruguay (Pool A) – Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille
- Sep 15: New Zealand vs Namibia (Pool A) – Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse
- Sep 20: Italy vs Uruguay (Pool A) – Stade de Nice, Nice
- Sep 21: France vs Namibia (Pool A) – Stade Velodrome, Marseille
- Sep 27: Uruguay vs Namibia (Pool A) – Parc OL, Lyon
- Sep 29: New Zealand vs Italy (Pool A) – Parc OL, Lyon
- Oct 5: New Zealand vs Uruguay (Pool A) – Parc OL, Lyon
- Oct 6: France vs Italy (Pool A) – Parc OL, Lyon
