ITV will be the Rugby World Cup UK broadcaster exclusively in 2023.
Following ITV’s production and broadcast of the most watched ever Rugby World Cup in 2019, this new deal means all the action from the tournament will be shown exclusively free-to-air to UK viewers on its channels.
The 2023 tournament in France will take place between 8 September and 21 October 2023 with IITV showing all 48 games exclusively live.
Niall Sloane, ITV Director of Sport, said: “The Rugby World Cup has become a prime fixture every four years on ITV, so, following such a successful tournament in 2015, we’re delighted to be able to announce we will continue to be the competition’s home until 2023.
“And our new deal kicks off with exclusive coverage of the women’s tournament in Ireland later this year, which, along with the rights to the World Rugby U20 Championship, broadens our association with elite rugby.
“Rugby World Cup 2015 was the most widely viewed rugby event ever, the live audience for Rugby World Cup 2015 increased by a factor of 48 per cent over the last edition in New Zealand, with live viewership through 106 broadcasters reaching nearly 724 million homes worldwide.”
Radio coverage:
The BBC has announced its most comprehensive audio and digital offering ever for audiences who want to keep up with all the action and stories from the forthcoming Rugby World Cup in France.
The tournament kicks off with France vs New Zealand on Friday 8th September in Paris and the BBC will provide live commentary and coverage of all 48 matches across BBC Radio 5Live, 5 Sportsextra, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website.
Commentary is led by Chris Jones, Sara Orchard and Andrew Cotter with Gareth Lewis, Alastair Eykyn, Conor McNamara and James Burridge.
Sonja McLaughlan heads up BBC Radio 5Live’s presentation team and will be in Paris and Marseille for the huge opening weekend to present coverage of France v New Zealand, England v Argentina and Scotland v South Africa.
A fantastic array of rugby voices will join our live coverage and podcasts to offer expert opinion and analysis; Matt Dawson, Chris Ashton, Johnnie Beattie, Tommy Bowe, Rocky Clark, Paul Grayson, Andrew Mehrtens, Kat Merchant, Ugo Monye, Stirling Mortlock, Bobby Skinstad and Philippa Tuttiett will be with the team in France.
In addition to the live match coverage, the team will be podding every day of the tournament as the Rugby Union Daily podcast returns to cover all the stories from the World Cup with big interviews and the latest from the team camps. Meanwhile, the BBC Sport website will have all the news, match reports, in-depth analysis and expert punditry for the four home nations.
Also launching today (Tuesday) on BBC Sounds is a special Rugby World Cup Top Ten podcast series where World Cup winners Matt Dawson and Bryan Habana join Chris Jones to discuss, rank and get stuck into the biggest and best World Cup debates like best match, best try, biggest upset, World Cup icon and more.
The 30 best rugby players in the world have been ranked, Owen Farrell 29th
RUCK delves into the compilation by Wales Online, spotlighting the 30 preeminent rugby union players currently reigning on the world stage.
Check out their full ranking below, or read their full article here.
#30. Dan Sheehan (Ireland)
A rising Irish hooker known for his powerful scrummaging and dynamic play in open field. Sheehan’s agility and tackling prowess make him a vital asset in set pieces and loose play alike, hinting at a promising future in international rugby
#29. Owen Farrell (England)
England’s steadfast captain and fly-half, Farrell’s tactical brilliance and accurate kicking guide his team’s gameplay. Renowned for his leadership, his defensive grit and ability to control the game’s pace make him a linchpin in England’s rugby strategy.
Wales Online wrote: “The 31-year-old has been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons recently but is a player you’d rather play with than against. Farrell is a natural leader of men, and will play a crucial role if England are to drag themselves out of the rut they find themselves in.”
#28. Thibaud Flament (France)
A versatile lock for France, Flament’s towering presence in the lineout and ferocious work rate define his style. With his strong carrying and breakdown skills, he is a force to be reckoned with in both set-piece dominance and open-field encounters.
#27. Shannon Frizell (New Zealand)
Frizzell’s imposing physique and aggressive ball-carrying mark him as a formidable All Black flanker. His offloading ability, coupled with his defensive prowess, cements his position as a player who consistently makes his presence felt on the field.
#26. Steven Kitshoff (South Africa)
An anchor of the Springboks’ scrum, Kitshoff’s experience and technical expertise are unmatched. His exceptional work rate and relentless tackling contribute to his reputation as a reliable front-row stalwart, key to South Africa’s forward dominance.