After 48 different events, the 2023 Rugby World Cup is now into its final round of games. On Friday, October 27 we have the Bronze Final (third place match) between England and Argentina.
And of course, the 2023 World Cup Final — New Zealand vs. South Africa — is set for Saturday, October 28!
Need a free live stream of the Rugby World Cup? You can watch the whole Rugby World Cup completely free online on ITVX no matter where you are during the event. Here’s how:
- Get a VPN subscription. NordVPN is our top choice to unblock streaming platforms.
- Download and install the VPN onto the device you’ll use to watch the Rugby World Cup online.
- Connect to a server in the UK. Any will do — as long as you get a UK IP address.
- Create a free ITVX account. You just need an email address and any UK postcode.
- Load the Rugby World Cup stream you’re looking for. You’ll be set for the entire tournament! Just make sure you’re connected to a UK server when you’re logged into ITVX.
Want to see a full 2023 Rugby World Cup schedule? Need more details on getting a UK IP? Check out our full write-up below.
Kicking off every four years, the men’s Rugby World Cup is a huge sporting event. Stadiums in the host country attract thousands of fans to watch the action live. But if you can’t make it to a stadium, Rugby World Cup live streams are another way to watch the action unfold.
The semifinals played out last week and fans were treated to two matches that could not be more different. In the first semis, the All Blacks ran through the Pumas (44-6), while the Springboks came up big in the final minutes to beat England (16-15).
Now, the stage is set for the 2023 World Cup final. It’s New Zealand vs. South Africa on Saturday, October 28!
Unfortunately, Rugby World Cup streams are only offered in certain countries. If you live outside of a licensed streaming region, you’ll be blocked by the hosting website. This is true even for people who live in a licensed country but are traveling abroad.
But don’t panic. Just read our step-by-step guide on how to watch Rugby World Cup from anywhere. We’ll show you how to unblock free Rugby World Cup streams in minutes with a VPN (virtual private network).
How to Watch the Rugby World Cup Free From Anywhere
The 2023 Rugby World Cup opening match kicked off on September 8, 2023, at 3:15 PM (ET). NBC is the official broadcaster and partner for World Rugby in the USA, with Peacock Premium showing all the matches.
But the best place to watch the Rugby World Cup free is ITVX in the United Kingdom.
If you’ve tried accessing ITVX (formerly ITV Hub) from the US or another country, you’ll face a problem — the ITVX error code 01-01. This simply means you’ve been blocked by the website for being outside the UK.
Ready to bypass that annoying block? You just need a VPN. Simply follow our quick step-by-step guide on how to watch Rugby World Cup live online from anywhere.
How to watch the Rugby World Cup (2023): Step-by-step guide
- Get a VPN subscription. NordVPN’s our top choice for streaming the Rugby World Cup matches. We’ve tested its UK VPN servers specifically because we’re going to unblock Rugby World Cup streams in the UK. But you’re not limited — NordVPN can provide high-speed, HD live streaming from all corners of the globe.
NordVPNOur choiceDeal Save big with 69% off a two-year subscription + three months free!From$ 2.999.3- Fast and large worldwide network of VPN servers
- Perfect for privacy and streaming
- Trusted by many, with over 14 million users
- Install your VPN software onto the device you’ll use to watch Rugby World Cup games. NordVPN supports a huge range of devices, letting you watch from anywhere.
- Open the VPN app and log into the account that you created in step two.
- Connect to a UK VPN server to change your IP address to one in the UK.
- Sign up for an ITVX account – it’s free! You just need an email address and postcode. You can use any UK postcode.
- Verify your email address and choose a streaming plan. Don’t worry. We’ve checked, and you can watch every Rugby World Cup live stream for free on the free plan.
- Goosestep your way to ITVX on Friday, September 8 at 3:15 PM (ET) to watch the Rugby World Cup kickoff! When you’re ready for the rest of the Cup, just make sure to log in while connected to the UK!
Stream the Rugby World Cup from Anywhere
Need a contingency in case you can’t access ITVX for some reason? We’ve rounded up alternate options that’ll let you live stream the Rugby World Cup from anywhere.
Where to stream the Rugby World Cup in the USA (NBC Sports/Peacock)
If you’re a U.S. resident, you can catch the games on Peacock Premium. NBC Sports will bring all the action to its streaming platform, as well as CNBC. Other options showing CNBC content include:
- Sling TV (with News Extra bundle)
- DirecTV Stream / Stream Ultimate
- fubo TV
- Hulu Live TV
- YouTube TV
The same rules apply to using a VPN if you’re a resident in the U.S. Just use NordVPN to get a U.S. IP address, even if you’re traveling. You’ll be able to access your NBC Sports account from anywhere.
How to stream the 2023 Rugby World Cup in Canada
Canadian rugby fans can catch the Rugby World Cup on cable with TSN. We’ve verified that the TSN+ streaming player will host the live streams too. Going to be outside of Canada during the games? Follow our steps:
- Log into NordVPN and choose a Canadian VPN server.
- Visit TSN+.
- Load up the Rugby World Cup streams on September 8, 2023.
Enjoy the Rugby World Cup without borders!
How to stream the Rugby World Cup in the U.K.
If you’re in the UK, you’ve got the easiest option. Some free live streaming websites will host the games — but ITVX is both free and more secure than unauthorized third-party websites.
ITVX is showing every Rugby World Cup 2023 match for free. If you’re a UK resident but traveling abroad in September or October, just follow our steps to access your usual ITV services:
- Load up NordVPN.
- Go to ITVX and sign into your account.
- Dive into the action.
Rugby World Cup 2023: Where to Watch in Australia
Stan Sport is the place to watch the Rugby World Cup in Australia. The first match begins at 7:00 PT (AEST) on Friday, September 8, with kickoff at 8:15 PM. While not free, plans start at around $10 per month with free trials.
Already a Stan Sport subscriber but expecting to be out of the country? Just use these steps:
- Get NordVPN and connect to an Australian VPN server.
- Visit Stan Sport.
- Load up Rugby World Cup streams on Friday, September 8, 2023.
In case you’re a fan of NBS, NBS Sports Australia will also have coverage of the event!
Free Rugby World Cup Streams: Can I Watch the Rugby World Cup Stream Free?
Absolutely — you can watch the entire Rugby World Cup for free if you use ITVX with a UK IP address. The platform will cover all 48 matches live and free to those with an ITV X free subscription.
It doesn’t matter if you’re in another country. ITV only requires an email address, name, and postcode to sign up for an account. You can quite literally pluck any United Kingdom postcode from Google, and it’ll work.
Simply confirm your email address afterward, and you’ll be able to stream the Rugby World Cup for free!
The Best VPN for Watching the Rugby World Cup
Some VPNs are better than others for specific purposes. For streaming, you need to choose the right VPN provider. Streaming platforms like Peacock and Sling TV take active measures to block VPN use. Pick the wrong VPN, and you won’t be able to unblock them.
We’ve taken the legwork out of testing VPNs for you. We also checked platforms like Peacock, Sling TV, ITV, StanSport, and more to find the best Rugby World Cup streams. The bottom line? NordVPN scores a touchdown for unblocking and streaming sports.
NordVPN’s fast enough to guarantee buffer-free steams that won’t drop out. There’s no data cap, and the provider keeps no data logs. You’ll never struggle to find a U.K. server among the provider’s 5,600+ servers either.
- Fast and large worldwide network of VPN servers
- Perfect for privacy and streaming
- Trusted by many, with over 14 million users
Can I Use a Free VPN to Watch the Rugby World Cup?
We understand that free VPNs are appealing. Cable and streaming costs are rising, and the economy’s tough. Why add another subscription when you can just use a free VPN to stream Rugby World Cup?
We’ll be blunt: free VPNs can ruin your streaming experience. They’re generally not very good at unblocking streaming sites. With a tiny server network, it’s hard to find the server you need. They’re often easily blocked as well.
But even if you find the right server, there’s another obstacle. The vast majority of free VPNs have data and speed restrictions. They’ll make your streams appear low in quality. Worse, you’re very like to be cut off entirely when the data runs out.
Don’t ruin your Rugby World Cup experience with a sub-par VPN. Check out our best cheap VPNs for a low-cost option. And remember, premium VPNs have money-back guarantees.
Note:
Have you considered CyberGhost VPN? It’s one of the cheapest premium VPNs at just over $2 per month. It also offers the longest money-back guarantee of any provider. You can watch almost the entire Rugby World Cup within the 45-day money-back guarantee period.
2023 Rugby World Cup Schedule
We’ve reached the final two days of action in what has been an exhilarating tournament. The All Blacks crushed Argentina in their semi-final matchup, while South Africa shattered England’s World Cup dreams for a second consecutive time. England will now face the Pumas on Friday for the honor of taking home the Bronze.
We’ve prepared dedicated guides for the World Cup Final and the Bronze final below. Simply click on the link and we’ll show you how you can stream the games from anywhere in a matter of minutes.
Here’s how the tournament has played out so far, as well as the rest of the knockout round games scheduled:
| Date | Time (ET) | Event | Pool | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, September 8, 2023 | 3:15 PM | France vs New Zealand (27-13) | A | Stade de France, Saint-Denis |
| Saturday, September 9, 2023 | 7:00 AM | Italy vs Namibia (52-8) | A | Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne |
| Saturday, September 9, 2023 | 9:30 AM | Ireland vs Romania (82-8) | B | Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux |
| Saturday, September 9, 2023 | 12:00 PM | Australia vs Georgia (35-15) | C | Stade de France, Saint-Denis |
| Saturday, September 9, 2023 | 3:00 PM | England vs Argentina (27-10) | D | Stade de Marseille, Marseille |
| Sunday, September 10, 2023 | 7:00 AM | Japan vs Chile (42-12) | D | Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse |
| Sunday, September 10, 2023 | 11:45 AM | South Africa vs Scotland (18-3) | B | Stade de Marseille, Marseille |
| Sunday, September 10, 2023 | 3:00 PM | Wales vs Fiji (32-26) | C | Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux |
| Thursday, September 14, 2023 | 3:00 PM | France vs Uruguay (27-12) | A | Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille |
| Friday, September 15, 2023 | 3:00 PM | New Zealand vs Namibia (71-3) | A | Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse |
| Saturday, September 16, 2023 | 9:00 AM | Samoa vs Chile (43-10) | D | Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux |
| Saturday, September 16, 2023 | 11:45 AM | Wales vs Portugal (28-8) | C | Stade de Nice, Nice |
| Saturday, September 16, 2023 | 3:00 PM | Ireland vs Tonga (59-16) | B | Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes |
| Sunday, September 17, 2023 | 9:00 AM | South Africa vs Romania (76-0) | B | Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux |
| Sunday, September 17, 2023 | 11:45 AM | Australia vs Fiji (15-22) | C | Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne |
| Sunday, September 17, 2023 | 3:00 PM | England vs Japan (34-12) | D | Stade de Nice, Nice |
| Wednesday, September 20, 2023 | 11:45 AM | Italy vs Uruguay (38-17) | A | Stade de Nice, Nice |
| Thursday, September 21, 2023 | 3:00 PM | France vs Namibia (96-0) | A | Stade de Marseille, Marseille |
| Friday, September 22, 2023 | 11:45 AM | Argentina vs Samoa (19-10) | D | Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne |
| Saturday, September 23, 2023 | 8:00 AM | Georgia vs Portugal (18-18) | C | Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse |
| Saturday, September 23, 2023 | 11:45 AM | England vs Chile (71-0) | D | Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille |
| Saturday, September 23, 2023 | 3:00 PM | South Africa vs Ireland (8-13) | B | Stade de France, Saint-Denis |
| Sunday, September 24, 2023 | 11:45 AM | Scotland vs Tonga (45-17) | B | Stade de Nice, Nice |
| Sunday, September 24, 2023 | 3:00 PM | Wales vs Australia (40-6) | C | OL Stadium, Lyon |
| Wednesday, September 27, 2023 | 11:45 AM | Uruguay vs Namibia (36-26) | A | OL Stadium, Lyon |
| Thursday, September 28, 2023 | 3:00 PM | Japan vs Samoa (28-22) | D | Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse |
| Friday, September 29, 2023 | 3:00 PM | New Zealand vs Italy (96-17) | A | OL Stadium, Lyon |
| Saturday, September 30, 2023 | 9:00 AM | Argentina vs Chile (59-5) | D | Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes |
| Saturday, September 30, 2023 | 11:45 AM | Fiji vs Georgia (17-12) | C | Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux |
| Saturday, September 30, 2023 | 3:00 PM | Scotland vs Romania (84-0) | B | Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille |
| Sunday, October 1, 2023 | 11:45 AM | Australia vs Portugal (34-14) | C | Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne |
| Sunday, October 1, 2023 | 3:00 PM | South Africa vs Tonga (49-18) | B | Stade de Marseille, Marseille |
| Thursday, October 5, 2023 | 3:00 PM | New Zealand vs Uruguay (73-0) | A | OL Stadium, Lyon |
| Friday, October 6, 2023 | 3:00 PM | France vs Italy (60-7) | A | OL Stadium, Lyon |
| Saturday, October 7, 2023 | 9:00 AM | Wales vs Georgia (43-19) | C | Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes |
| Saturday, October 7, 2023 | 11:45 AM | England vs Samoa (18-17) | D | Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille |
| Saturday, October 7, 2023 | 3:00 PM | Ireland vs Scotland (36-14) | B | Stade de France, Saint-Denis |
| Sunday, October 8, 2023 | 7:00 AM | Japan vs Argentina (27-39) | D | Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes |
| Sunday, October 8, 2023 | 11:45 AM | Tonga vs Romania (45-24) | B | Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille |
| Sunday, October 8, 2023 | 3:00 PM | Fiji vs Portugal (23-24) | C | Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse |
| Saturday, October 14, 2023 | 11:00 AM | Wales vs Argentina (17-29) | Quarter-Final 1 | Stade de Marseille, Marseille |
| Saturday, October 14, 2023 | 3:00 PM | Ireland vs New Zealand (24-28) | Quarter-Final 2 | Stade de France, Saint-Denis |
| Sunday, October 15, 2023 | 11:00 AM | England vs Fiji (30-24) | Quarter-Final 3 | Stade de Marseille, Marseille |
| Sunday, October 15, 2023 | 3:00 PM | France vs South Africa (28-29) | Quarter-Final 4 | Stade de France, Saint-Denis |
| Friday, October 20, 2023 | 3:00 PM | Argentina vs. New Zealand (6-44) | Semi-Final 1 | Stade de France, Saint-Denis |
| Saturday, October 21, 2023 | 3:00 PM | England vs. South Africa (15-16) | Semi-Final 2 | Stade de France, Saint-Denis |
| Friday, October 27, 2023 | 3:00 PM | Argentina vs England | Bronze Final | Stade de France, Saint-Denis |
| Saturday, October 28, 2023 | 3:00 PM | New Zealand vs South Africa | Final | Stade de France, Saint-Denis |
Rugby World Cup Pool Standings
The tables below contain the updated standings in Pools A to D, with the top two teams making it on the knockout rounds.
Pool A
| Position | Team | Games Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Point Difference | Bonus Points | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | France | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 178 | 2 | 18 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 206 | 3 | 15 |
| 3 | Italy | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -67 | 2 | 10 |
| 4 | Uruguay | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -99 | 1 | 5 |
| 5 | Namibia | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -218 | 0 | 0 |
Pool B
| Position | Team | Games Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Point Difference | Bonus Points | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ireland | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 144 | 3 | 19 |
| 2 | South Africa | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 117 | 3 | 15 |
| 3 | Scotland | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 75 | 2 | 10 |
| 4 | Tonga | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -81 | 1 | 5 |
| 5 | Romania | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -255 | 0 | 0 |
Pool C
| Position | Team | Games Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Point Difference | Bonus Points | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wales | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 84 | 3 | 19 |
| 2 | Fiji | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 11 |
| 3 | Australia | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -1 | 3 | 11 |
| 4 | Portugal | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -39 | 0 | 6 |
| 5 | Georgia | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | -49 | 1 | 3 |
Pool D
| Position | Team | Games Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Point Difference | Bonus Points | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | England | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 111 | 2 | 18 |
| 2 | Argentina | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 58 | 2 | 14 |
| 3 | Japan | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 9 |
| 4 | Samoa | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 17 | 3 | 7 |
| 5 | Chile | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -188 | 0 | 0 |
Rugby World Cup 2023 Preview
This year’s Rugby World Cup celebrates 200 years since William Webb Ellis was said to have created the game of rugby. Now, we’ll see 20 teams pitted against each other in more than 45 events throughout the start of Fall. More than half of these teams qualified by landing a top-3 position in their respective pools back in Japan in 2019 — and competition will be fierce.
Events are kicking off with an intense showdown between France and New Zealand. The three-time champion All Blacks are going to put France’s Les Bleus to the test. They’re the most successful team in the history of the event and the winner of the previous Rugby World Cup.
To make things even more challenging, France was hit by a setback when Romain Ntamack was ruled out of the Rugby World Cup. The Les Bleus are going to need to find a solid replacement for their backline.
Things could be more trying for Portugal’s team, though. Os Lobos qualified for France 2023 and will be playing their first Rugby World Cup tournament in more than a decade against Wales on September 16. It’s only the second time in three decades that the two nations clash — and last time, Wales crushed Os Lobos 102-11.
In Short: Live Streaming the Rugby World Cup in 2023
The 10th Rugby World Cup starts on Friday, September 8, 2023, and is being hosted by France. We’ll see 20 teams come together from all corners of the globe, battling it out for the Final.
The best place to watch the 2023 Rugby World Cup is on ITVX. It’s the most reliable platform offering completely free Rugby World Cup streams. Even if you’re outside the UK, you can drop-kick those geographical restrictions with a VPN.
- Get NordVPN and log in.
- Connect to a UK VPN server to change your IP address.
- Visit ITVX on Friday, September 8 to watch Rugby World Cup live streams for free.
This is, in our opinion, one of the best perks of using a VPN. You can watch other Rugby Union matches or unblock sporting events across the globe. Here are just a handful of other options from our recent articles:
- How to Watch Six Nations Online Free from Anywhere
- How to Watch UEFA Champions League for Free
- How to Access NBC Sports From Anywhere
- How to Watch the Formula 1 for Free
If you need any more pointers on unblocking Rugby World Cup streams with a VPN, check our FAQ section. We may have already answered your question — but leave us a comment if not!
NBC has the rights to broadcast the event in the United States, in 2023. This means you can find Rugby World Cup live streams on Peacock or CNBC channels. If you’re outside the U.S. during the event, you can unblock Peacock with a VPN. Or, for completely free Rugby World Cup streams:
- Get NordVPN.
- Connect to a United Kingdom VPN server.
- Go to ITVX for full coverage of the games.
NBC will be hosting the 2023 Rugby World Cup on Peacock Premium. In Australia, Stan Sport is your best bet. If you’re in Canada, try TSN. But the simplest option is to watch the Rugby World Cup for free using ITVX in the United Kingdom.
Not in the UK? No problem. Just:
- Get NordVPN.
- Connect to a VPN server in the UK.
- Go to ITVX and sign up for a free account for full coverage of the games.
Yes, Peacock will show the Rugby World Cup 2023. Peacock is owned by NBC, which has the official rights to broadcast the event in 2023. If you’re in the US, just sign up for Peacock Premium before the events start on Friday, September 8, 2023. If you’re outside the US, you can use a VPN to connect to a server back home and unblock Peacock’s geo-restrictions.
No, FloSports doesn’t have coverage of the Rugby World Cup this year. We recommend going to Peacock for full coverage of the 48 events that kick off on Friday, September 8, 2023. Alternatively, you can get a UK IP address with a VPN and access completely free Rugby World Cup streams for every event through ITV!
ITV have already blocked ExpressVPN from working using their usual UK locations, and I expect NordVPN will do the same
How can we find alternative VPN routes once the usual companies are blocked?
Hey Dave. Thanks for the heads-up. We just tested ExpressVPN with ITV and ran into an error. But after running the usual Chrome browser VPN fixes (clearing cache, cookies, going incognito, etc.) ExpressVPN worked fine with ITV live streams. ExpressVPN's London server with Mozilla (a much more privacy-friendly browser) worked seamlessly without any issues at all. We also just tested NordVPN with a London server on Chrome and didn't have any issues. So all's well for the time being.