Watch a free Rugby World Cup live stream
Rugby World Cup 2023 is free to watch on ITV and ITVX in the UK. Fans can also watch every game for free via RTÉ and Virgin Media in Ireland. Channel 9 is showing select games for free in Australia, while select games are free-to-air on SABC in South Africa. Use a VPN to watch your preferred Rugby World Cup feed from anywhere, if you're away from home.
- FREE: ITVX (UK – all games)
- FREE: RTÉ and Virgin Media (Ireland – all games)
- FREE: 9Now (Australia – select games)
- USA: Peacock TV
- Watch your local stream from abroad with ExpressVPN
Rugby World Cup: 2023 preview
With two nations that have never laid hands on the Webb Ellis Cup the standout favourites, the 2023 Rugby World Cup is shaping up to be an historic occasion.
Wales can count themselves incredibly lucky that the draw took place in December 2020, based on the world rankings from January of that year – if it had been made now, Warren Gatland’s men would have been thrown to the lions. Instead, they’ve landed in what looks like the friendliest pool of them all and look on for topping it too.
Six Nations champions and world no.1 Ireland look to be finishing first in Pool B, besting current World Cup holders South Africa. Scotland are the only other team in the group to have registered any points.
In Pool A it's the France and New Zealand show although Italy are still in with a chance if they can take down the hosts or if the All Blacks falter. As for Pool D, it's all been rather easy for what looked a very out of sorts England in the warm-ups, but keep your eyes on the three-way tussle for second place with Japan vs Argentina looking an excellent showdown.
All games are free to watch in the UK and Ireland. Here's how to watch a Rugby World Cup live stream from anywhere.
Rugby World Cup free live streams
Viewers in the UK can stream every game of the 2023 Rugby World Cup for free via ITVX. That's also the case in Ireland, with RTÉ and Virgin Media Player sharing live broadcast duties
Outside of the UK or Ireland? Use a VPN to access any local stream from abroad. We recommend ExpressVPN as it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Not used a VPN before? It's easy. Here's our step-by-step guide...
Watch a Rugby World Cup 2023 live stream from anywhere
You won't be able to watch your regular Rugby World Cup 2023 live stream while traveling abroad. The streaming service will spot that you're in a foreign country and block you. You can use a VPN (virtual private network) to get around this, though.
It's a straightforward piece of software that sets your device to appear as if it's in the right country, allowing you to watch any Rugby World Cup live stream from anywhere in the world.
We rate ExpressVPN as the best VPN for rugby fans. It offers a 30-day guarantee for all your money back if you're not happy with the service.
How to use a VPN for Rugby World Cup 2023
Using a VPN to watch Rugby World Cup 2023 is incredibly easy:
1. Install the VPN of your choice. ExpressVPN is the one we recommend – we've used it for years and it's always reliable.
2. Open up the VPN app and choose the location of the service you wish to access. For the Rugby World Cup, you may wish to choose 'UK' for ITVX.
3. Then head over to ITVX on your browser or device and enjoy the free Rugby World Cup live stream.
Watch Rugby World Cup 2023 in the UK
ITV holds the rights to the tournament in the UK, which means you can also live stream every Rugby World Cup 2023 match for free on the ITVX website or mobile app (live and on catch up).
S4C, meanwhile, is offering Welsh-language coverage of the opening game, every Wales game, and the final. Travelling outside the UK?
Use a VPN to unblock ITVX and watch free from anywhere.
Watch Rugby World Cup 2023 for FREE in Ireland
You can watch every match of the 2023 Rugby World Cup live stream free in Ireland too, with free-to-air networks RTÉ and Virgin Media sharing live broadcast duties.
Stream every game live via either RTÉ Player or Virgin Media Player, with both services available across a wide range of devices.
Don't forget: You can live stream every match free of charge while abroad with a good rugby VPN.
Watch Rugby World Cup 2023 for FREE in Australia
There's also free Rugby World Cup 2023 coverage in Australia, with Channel 9 and 9Now showing every Wallabies match, plus the final. Travelling outside Australia?
Use VPN to unblock 9Now and watch the Rugby World Cup from anywhere
Streaming service Stan Sport, meanwhile, has the rights to show every match of the tournament ad-free.
To begin with, there's a Stan 30-day free trial. After that, you choose your base package, starting from AU$10, and the necessary sport add-on costs AU$15 a month on top (so, from $25 a month in total).
Watch Rugby World Cup 2023 in the USA
Every match of the 2023 Rugby World Cup is available to watch in the US via Peacock TV.
Peacock starts at $5.99 a month for its ad-supported tier, which will also give you access to a wide range of live sports including EPL soccer, WWE, Premiership Rugby and more.
The Peacock TV app is available on iOS, Apple TV, Android, Android TV, Chromecast, LG smart TV, Vizio TV, PS4, and Xbox One. You can also watch through your web browser.
Of course, Peacock TV is only available within the States so be sure to use a rugby-friendly VPN if you're a subscriber stuck abroad.
A selection of games will also be aired on CNBC on cable with two quarter finals, the final and Ireland vs Scotland also on NBC. Full list of cable games here.
Watch Rugby World Cup 2023 in New Zealand
Kiwis can watch Rugby World Cup 2023 action courtesy of Sky Sport, which is available as part of a range of pay TV packages.
If you're a subscriber you'll also be able to watch online using the country's Sky Go service.
If you're looking to cut the cords, you can try the Sky Sport Now streaming-only platform - where a pass costs $24.99 per week or $44.99 per month. Or you could try the Rugby World Cup Pass on Sky Sports for $89.99 which includes full access to Sky Sport & ESPN from 4 September – 3 November.
Don't forget: UK nationals can live stream every match for free while abroad with a VPN.
Rugby World Cup 2023 live stream in South Africa
Super Sport is the place to watch every 2023 Rugby World Cup match in South Africa but a late, late deal means that South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) will now be airing all Springboks games for free as well as a selection of other matches. Keep your eyes on SABC Plus for details.
For those signed up to Super Sport, if you can't watch on your TV, you can also tune in via the network's streaming service for PC and Mac, as well as via SuperSport's dedicated app.
Watch Rugby World Cup 2023 in Canada
You can watch the 2023 Rugby World Cup unfold on TSN in Canada.
If you don't have the channel on cable, you can either sign up to the new TSN Plus streaming service for $8 per month (+ tax) or $80 per year (+ tax), or subscribe to TSN for streaming-only for $19.99 a month or $199.90 per year.
Don't forget: UK nationals can live stream every match free of charge while abroad with a VPN.
Rugby World Cup 2023 pool tables
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points Difference | Bonus Points | Points |
| France | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 125 | 1 | 13 |
| New Zealand | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 133 | 2 | 10 |
| Italy | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | –14 | 2 | 10 |
| Uruguay | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | –26 | 1 | 5 |
| Namibia | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | –218 | 0 | 0 |
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points Difference | Bonus Points | Points |
| South Africa | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 117 | 3 | 15 |
| Ireland | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 122 | 2 | 14 |
| Scotland | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 97 | 2 | 10 |
| Tonga | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | –102 | 0 | 0 |
| Romania | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | –234 | 0 | 0 |
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points Difference | Bonus Points | Points |
| Wales | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 2 | 14 |
| Australia | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | –1 | 3 | 11 |
| Fiji | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 10 |
| Georgia | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | –25 | 1 | 3 |
| Portugal | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | –40 | 0 | 2 |
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points Difference | Bonus Points | Points |
| England | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 110 | 2 | 14 |
| Argentina | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 46 | 1 | 9 |
| Japan | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 1 | 9 |
| Samoa | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 18 | 2 | 6 |
| Chile | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | –188 | 0 | 0 |
Rugby World Cup 2023 tickets
Rugby World Cup 2023 tickets have been flying off the shelves, but not all games are sold out at the time of writing, and some tickets are available via resale.
You can purchase them from the official 2023 Rugby World Cup website.
Which team has won the most Rugby World Cups?
Who else? New Zealand and South Africa are the joint-most successful teams in Rugby World Cup history, having lifted the Webb Ellis Cup three times apiece. They've also won all of the last four tournaments between them.
Two-time champions Australia and England are the only other teams to have tasted Rugby World Cup glory, while France have reached three finals and lost them all.
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