Virgin Media Television and RT announce broadcast schedule as the world's top sides compete for the Webb Ellis Cup
Today, Monday 21st August, RT and Virgin Media Television announced details of its joint broadcast schedule for the Rugby World Cup 2023, with all 48 matches to be available live and free-to-air for Irish fans.
The partnership will see all games equally aired across both broadcasters again this year, for what promises to be an explosive World Cup. Don't miss a second of the action from France, as Andy Farrell's team look to make history in the coming weeks.
It all gets underway on Friday 8th September with the hosts France taking on the All Blacks on RT 2. The action runs right up to the final on Saturday 28th October. Ireland will enter the fray on Saturday 9th September against Romania in Bordeaux, kicking off on Virgin Media Television at 2.30pm. On Saturday 16th September, Ireland v Tonga will air on RT 2, followed by South Africa v Ireland on Sunday 23rd September, 8pm. Ireland v Scotland will then air on Virgin Media Television on Sunday 7th October.
Declan McBennett, Head of RT Sport commented: With anticipation rising ahead of RWC we are delighted to bring the entire tournament to the Irish public free to air in conjunction with Virgin Media. The competition promises to deliver some brilliant moments and memories from France and RTE Sport will bring you the thrills, spills and talking points across all platforms.
Mick McCaffrey, Head of News and Sport at Virgin Media Television said: After Ireland's emphatic victory over England at the Aviva Stadium last weekend, the stage is set for what promises to be a brilliant Rugby World Cup 2023. We are very excited to bring our viewers all the action live and free to air, on the Virgin Media Player and across our social media platforms. Our line-up of expert analysts and commentators will both inform and entertain rugby fans across the country throughout September and October.
Jacqui Hurley will present coverage of all the live games on RT 2 and RT Player with Hugh Cahill, Des Curran and Connor Morris on commentary. Daire O'Brien will also present a comprehensive round-up of the news and action from France on Against the Head on RT 2 each Monday. RT reporters including Clare MacNamara, Justin Treacy, Paul O'Flynn and Neil Treacy will be with the Ireland camp in France throughout the tournament. Michael Corcoran and David Humphreys will also bring live coverage on RT Radio 1.
RT panellists and co-commentators this year include Jamie Heaslip, Simon Zebo, Jerry Flannery, Stephen Ferris, Fiona Coghlan, Bernard Jackman, Hannah Tyrrell, Donal, Lenihan and Darren Cave.
RT 's comprehensive Rugby World Cup 2023 coverage of all matches includes exclusive free-to-air matches on RT 2, RT Radio and RT Player, while RT .ie/Sport will have minute-by-minute match coverage alongside news, analysis and interviews and on @RTErugby. Against The Head returns with the latest news and discussions on Monday nights on RT 2 and RT Sport will bring fans closer to all things Rugby World Cup 2023 on The RT Rugby Podcast. RT News will have the latest coverage around the Rugby World Cup, including updates on the RT News Now app.
Date Match Broadcaster KO
Friday 8 Sept France v New Zealand RT 20:15
Saturday 9 Sept Italy v Namibia VMTV 12:00
Saturday 9 Sept Ireland v Romania VMTV 14:30
Saturday 9 Sept Australia v Georgia RT 17:00
Saturday 9 Sept England v Argentina RT 20:00
Sunday 10 Sept Japan v Chile RT 12:00
Sunday 10 Sept South Africa v Scotland VMTV 16:45
Sunday 10 Sept Wales v Fiji VMTV 20:00
Thursday 14 Sept France v Uruguay VMTV 20:00
Friday 15 Sept New Zealand v Namibia VMTV 20:00
Saturday 16 Sept Samoa v Chile VMTV 14:00
Saturday 16 Sept Wales v Portugal VMTV 16:45
Saturday 16 Sept Ireland v Tonga RT 20:00
Sunday 17 Sept South Africa v Romania RT 14:00
Sunday 17 Sept Australia v Fiji RT 16:45
Sunday 17 Sept England v Japan VMTV 20:00
Wednesday 20 Sept Italy v Uruguay VMTV 16:45
Thursday 21 Sept France v Namibia RT 20:00
Friday 22 Sept Argentina v Samoa RT 16:45
Saturday 23 Sept Georgia v Portugal VMTV 13:00
Saturday 23 Sept England v Chile VMTV 16:45
Saturday 23 Sept South Africa v Ireland RT 20:00
Sunday 24 Sept Scotland v Tonga RT 16:45
Sunday 24 Sept Wales v Australia VMTV 20:00
Wednesday 27 Sept Uruguay v Namibia VMTV 16:45
Thursday 28 Sept Japan v Samoa RT 20:00
Friday 29 Sept New Zealand v Italy VMTV 20:00
Saturday 30 Sept Argentina v Chile RT 14:00
Saturday 30 Sept Fiji v Georgia RT 16:45
Saturday 30 Sept Scotland v Romania VMTV 20:00
Sunday 1 Oct Australia v Portugal VMTV 16:45
Sunday 1 Oct South Africa v Tonga RT 20:00
Thursday 5 Oct New Zealand v Uruguay RT 20:00
Friday 6 Oct France v Italy RT 20:00
Saturday 7 Oct Wales v Georgia RT 14:00
Saturday 7 Oct England v Samoa RT 16:45
Saturday 7 Oct Ireland v Scotland VMTV 20:00
Sunday 8 Oct Japan v Argentina VMTV 12:00
Sunday 8 Oct Tonga v Romania RT 16:45
Sunday 8 Oct Fiji v Portugal RT 20:00
Saturday 14 Oct QF1: Winner C v RU D TBC* 16:00
Saturday 14 Oct QF2: Winner B v RU A TBC* 20:00
Sunday 15 Oct QF3: Winner D v RU C TBC* 16:00
Sunday 15 Oct QF4: Winner A v RU B TBC* 20:00
Friday 20 Oct SF1: Winner QF1 v QF2 TBC** 20:00
Saturday 21 Oct SF2: Winner QF3 v QF4 TBC** 20:00
Friday 27 Oct 3-4 Play-Off VMTV 20:00
Saturday 28 Oct Final VMTV & RT 20:00
*Virgin Media Television will show Ireland's quarter-final should they reach the last eight, along with the other game that day. RT will show the other two quarter-finals.
**RT
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Virgin Media Television and RT announce broadcast schedule as the world's top sides compete for the Webb Ellis Cup 
