Rugby World Cup 2023: fixtures, how to watch, latest news and odds

George Ford revels in training as he watches the All Blacks and Springboks play. Credit: Getty Images/David Rogers to gain an edge ahead of next month's tournament.

The New Zealanders' lightning-fast speed and intelligent kicking have received particular attention in recent days as Borthwick strives to keep his group on top of strategic trends around the world.

George Ford, one of the most astute tacticians on Borthwick's team, appears destined for a coaching career and enjoyed those focused pursuits. Seven weeks into the tournament, the England players took a close look at the All Blacks' victory over South Africa in Auckland last Saturday, spurred on by two tries in the first 15 minutes and backed up by a clever variety of kicks.

Ford stressed that England would not seek to «copy or imitate» New Zealand or the Springboks, whom they could not face before the World Cup semi-finals, and were «very clear» about what their approach would be. He confirmed he was in training with Owen Farrell, suggesting that Borthwick could repeat that 10-12 axis in

To read what the half-fly said, go here.

When will the Rugby World Cup take place?

The tournament starts on Friday 8 September. France will play New Zealand. The final will take place on Saturday, October 28.

South Africa were the winners of the last tournament — in Japan in 2019 — when they beat England in the final, and will again be among the favorites this year. New Zealand will, as always, be a team to beat.

But a big challenge is expected in Europe, not least from host country France and Six Nations Grand Slam winners Ireland, who have yet to perform at their best at the World Cup.

Where is he?

The 2023 Rugby World Cup will take place in France at nine stadiums in nine cities. The final will take place at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis (Paris).

• Stade de France (capacity 80,698) — Saint-Denis (Paris)
• Stade Velodrome (67,394) — Marseille
• Olympic Park in Lyon (59,186 people) — Lyon
• Stade Pierre-Maurois (50,186) — Lille
• New Bordeaux Stadium (42,115)-Bordeaux
• Stade Geoffroy-Guichard (41,965) — Saint-Etienne
• Allianz Riviera (35,624) — Nice
• Stade de la Beaujoire (35,322) — Nantes
• Stade Municipal (33,150) — >Toulouse

How to watch it?

ITV has won the exclusive rights to broadcast the Rugby World Cup in the UK. We will update you on the specific channels for each match in the tournament as soon as they are announced by the broadcaster.

Radio commentary for each match will be available exclusively on the BBC, Radio 5 Live, 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds. The BBC reports that there will be a «single edition» in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Amazon Prime will broadcast the first three warm-up matches of the World Cup in England in August, as well as nine other matches involving other teams from six nations.

Steve Borthwick's team will play Wales in a home and away double header before traveling to Ireland on 19 August. Their last match before traveling to France against Fiji at Twickenham next weekend is also likely to be on Amazon Prime, with scheduling questions being finalized.

The streaming service will also show warm-up matches such as France where Eddie Jones meets Australia.

Who is playing?

A total of 20 teams have qualified for the Rugby World Cup. These teams were divided into four groups of five, each receiving one team from five groups.

The first group included the four teams with the highest rating at the time of the tournament draw (South Africa, New Zealand, England, Wales). The second group included the next four highest ranked teams (Ireland, Australia, France, Japan) and the third group the four following (Scotland, Argentina, Fiji, Italy).

Each team in the first three groups automatically qualified for the tournament due to their world rankings, while the other two groups included sides that qualified for the tournament (Samoa, Georgia, Uruguay, Tonga, Namibia, Romania, Chile, Portugal).

Whi which players to watch?

Titi Lamozitel, capable of supporting both sides of the scrum, won trophies at the Saracens before moving to Montpellier after the salary cap scandal. It was allowed to change allegiance from the US to Samoa due to a recent World Rugby eligibility rule change that allows players to transfer from one country to another after a three-year waiting period, provided they qualify by birthright.

Tonga will likely count Team Australia's Adam Coleman among their national cohort at the tournament, and the Pacific Islands teams are not the only ones to take advantage of the rule change.

Henry Thomas could trade England for Wales and Thavera Kerr-Barlow, an exceptional La Rochelle scrum half, is now eligible to move from New Zealand to Australia thanks to being born in Melbourne. South Africa has confirmed they will be looking into the availability of former Republic of Ireland national team Jean Klein, who played in great form in Munster last season.

Who's in which group?

Group A
New Zealand
France
Italy
Uruguay
Namibia

Group B
South Africa
Ireland
Scotland
Tonga
Romania

Group C
Wales
Australia
Fiji
Georgia
Portugal

Group D
England
Japan
Argentina
Samoa
Chile

Rugby World Cup 2023 — all matches and fixtures

POOL MATCHES

• Friday, 8 Sep November — France — New Zealand, Stade de France, 20:00 BST
• Saturday, September 9 — Italy — Namibia, Geoffroy-Guichard, 12:00
• Saturday, September 9 — Ireland — Romania, Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux», 14:30
• Saturday, September 9 — Australia — Georgia, Stade de France, 5:00 pm
• Saturday, September 9 — England — Argentina, Velodrome, 8:00 pm
• Sunday, September 10 — Japan — Chile, Municipal Stadium, 12:00
• Sunday 10 September-South Africa-Scotland, Velodrome, 4:45 pm
• Sunday, 10 September— Wales-Fiji, Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, 8:00 pm
• Thursday, September 14 — France — Uruguay, Stade Pierre Maurois, 20:00
• Friday, September 15 — New Zealand vs. Namibia, Municipal Stadium, 20:00
• Saturday, September 16 — Samoa — Chile, «Nuveau Sta d de Bordeaux, 14:00
• Saturday, 16 September — Wales — Portugal, Allianz Riviera, 16:45
• Saturday, 16 September– Ireland — Tonga, Stade de la Beaujoire, 20:00
• Sunday 17 September — South Africa — Romania, Bordeaux New Stadium, 2 pm
• Sunday, 17 September — Australia — Fiji, Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, 4:45 pm
• Sunday, 1 September 7 — England — Japan, Allianz Riviera, 8 pm

< li>Wednesday, September 20 — Italy — Uruguay, Allianz Riviera, 16:45

• Thursday, September 21 — France — Namibia, Velodrome Stadium, 20:00
• Friday, September 22— Argentina — Samoa, Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium, 16:45
• Saturday, September 23 — Georgia — Portugal, Municipality Stadium, 13:00
• Saturday, September 23 — England — Chile, Pierre-Ma Stadium uroy, 16:45
• Saturday, 23 September — South Africa — Ireland, Stade de France, 20:00
• Sunday, 24 September — Scotland — Tonga, Allianz Riviera, 16:45
• Sunday, 24 September— Wales — Australia, Olympic Park Lyon, 20:00
• Wednesday, September 27 — Uruguay — Namibia, Olympic Park Lyon, 16:45
• Thursday, September 28 — Japan — Samoa, Municipal Stadium, 20:00
• Friday, September 29 — New Zealand vs. Italy, Lyon Olympic Park, 20:00
• Saturday, September 30— Argentina — Chile, Stade de la Beaujoire, 2:00 pm
• Saturday, September 30— Fiji — Georgia, Bordeaux New Stadium, 16:45
• Saturday, September 30 — Scotland — Romania, Stade Pierre Maurois, 20:00
• Sunday, October 1 — Australia — Portugal, Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium, 16:45
• Sunday, October 1 — South Africa — Tonga, Stade Velodrome, 20: 00
• Thursday 5 October — New Zealand — Uruguay, Olympic Park Lyon, 20:00
• Friday, 6 October — France — Italy, Olympic Park Lyon, 20:00
• Saturday 7 October-Wales-Georgia, Stade de la Beaujoire, 2pm
• Saturday, 7 October-England-Samoa, Stade Pierre-Maurois, 4:45pm
• Saturday, 7 October-Ireland-Scotland, Stade de France, 8pm
• < strong>Sunday 8 October — Japan — Argentina, Stade de la Beaujoire, 12:00
• Sunday, 8 October — Tonga — Romania — Pierre-Maurois Stadium, 16:45
• Sunday, 8 October– Fiji – Portugal, Municipal Stadium, 20:00

Quarter-finals

• Saturday, 14 October — Group C Winner – Runner-up Group D, Velodrome Stadium, 16:00
• Saturday, 14 October – Winners Group B – Runner-up Group A, Stade de France, 20:00
• Sunday, 15 October – Group D Winner – Runner-up Group C, Stade de France, 16:00
• Sunday, 15 October— Group 4 winner — Runner-up Group B, Stade de France, 20:00

Semi-finals

• Friday, 20 October— CHF 1 winner — CHF 2 winner, Stade de France, 20:00
• Saturday, October 21 — CHF winner 3 — Winner of BCF 4, Stade de France, 20:00

Bronze Final

• Friday, October 27 — Finalist of BSF 1 — Finalist of BCF 2, Stade de France, 8 pm

Final

• Saturday 28 October — Winner SF 1 — Winner SF 2, Stade de France, 20:00

England Football World Cup squad

Strikers (23)Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons, 6 games), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 100 games), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 45 games), Theo Dan (Saracens, no game), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 14 games), Ben Earle (Saracens, 15 games), Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 48 ​​games), Jamie George (Sarak). Anse, 77 games), Johnny Hill (Sale Sharks, 19 games), Maro Itoye (Saracens, 67 games), Courtney Lowes (Northampton Saints, 97 games), Lewis Ludlum (Northampton Saints, 19 games), Joe Marler (Harlequins, 79 games), George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 1 game), Tom Pearson (London Irish, no cap) ki), Val R. Apava-Raskin (Gloucester, Rugby capless), David Ribbans (Northampton Saints, 5 caps), Kyle Sinclair (Bristol Bears, 61 caps), Will Stewart (Bath Rugby, 25 caps), Jack Willis (Toulouse, 10 caps), Tom Willis (Bordeaux Begle, capless) 8)Henry Arundell (London Irish, 7 caps), Danny Kare (Harlequins, 87 caps), Joe Cocanasiga (Bath Rugby, 14 caps), Elliot Daley (Saracens, 57 caps), Owen Farrell (Saracens, 106 caps), George Ford (Sail Sharks, 81 caps), Max Malins (Saracens, 18 caps), Joe Marchant (Harlequins) «, 1 match). 5 games), Johnny May (Gloucester Rugby, 72 games), Cadan Murley (Harlequins, no game), Guy Porter (Leicester Tigers, 4 games), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 56 games), Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 21 games), Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 22 games), Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks, 51 games), Jack van Po Ortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 12 caps), Anthony Watson (Leicester Tigers, 55 caps), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 122 caps)

Rehab (5)Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 9 caps), Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 11 caps), Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 79 caps), Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 68 caps)

Billy Vunipola remains optimistic about his World Cup chances despite undergoing minor surgery on his injured knee.

Expected that the 30-year-old number 8 is part of Steve Borthwick's plans for the tournament. Even though Eddie Jones did not participate in the test match after Eddie Jones was sacked as manager, he intends to represent England in the third World Cup.

«The medical team is positive about my prospects and I know exactly what needs to be done over the next few weeks,» Vunipola said.

Manu Tuilagi says England can beat anyone at the World Cup. Photo: Getty Images/Ramsey Cardy What the players are saying

George Ford also reunited with Richard Wigglesworth, a former teammate at Leicester Tigers and now one of Borthwick's coaching assistants, who was an integral part of the analysis «projects» at camp.

«That's what we did with Steve at Leicester,» Ford said. “It's not too tiring, it doesn't take too long, but little and often, just trying to be one step ahead. And projects on different things, so it could be the one who comes out the best from their own half, or it could be the one who is better at the 22 standoff, set-piece or hitting play. We did the first 20 minute project and we were asked a few questions — why is New Zealand doing this? What can South Africa do? — and then we bring it back.”

“The tactical differences between the teams were interesting,” Ford explained his views on rugby in general. “Watching New Zealand vs South Africa, watching the teams and finding out why they do certain things, how they get out of their own half, you see that in New Zealand they hit a lot more with 10s and 15s than with nines.

“These days you see a huge amount of boxing fights in the game. So there are variations in terms of giving the team another offer to counterattack or trying to put pressure on them.

“So for example, everyone in training practice defending box kicks. They put people in the right position around the ruck, the shot goes up, everyone is in escort position so Freddie Steward can easily catch the ball while the teams are probably asking more questions now.

“They don’t even go there [for a box kick] because if they go to the middle of the field, separate the field and have options to hit, the escort situation becomes much more difficult, which means that the pursuers can go through more competition. Then if you get the ball from an unstructured situation, it's a really piquant place to attack. I found it extremely interesting.

“And just the intensity of the breakdown. New Zealand in particular, their speed on the ruck was lightning fast. You look at why this is so, and I don't think it's just cancer in isolation. This is probably also their form of attack and organization. This gives them a chance to win a one-on-one clash, so the ball carrier sticks his nose out and then the sweepers come in and boom, he's gone.» New Zealand's rocket speed against South Africa impressed Ford and allowed them to play at pace and run in tries like Richie Mounga did. Photo: AFP/Michael Bradley

Although Ford had been out of Test matches for over a year, Borthwick called him to camp during last year's Six Nations tournament as soon as his longtime Achilles tendon injury allowed. It was a sign of his worth, and the 30-year-old seemed poised to play a major role in the World Cup.

Working with the «authoritative» Wigglesworth gave Ford the opportunity to move from player to player-coach to coach; a path that he may well take on his own.

«I really love this game,» Ford added. “I'm obsessed with watching it, which my wife isn't too happy about. I just find it intriguing. I like, in a fun way, trying to stay one step ahead or predicting what's next or where we can go next to keep moving forward. What you often see around the world is that a successful team does one thing and everyone starts to follow it because they are a successful team.

“But what intrigues me is [the question] ‘what next’? «How do we stay one step ahead?» And it's a bit like a coach's mindset. But the best players in our positions are the best coaches on the pitch, so I think it's necessary, especially at this level.”

In other news

The Welsh were stunned by yet another setback at the World Cup when captain Ken Owens withdrew from training with a back injury.

The No. 91 prostitute, who turned 36 in January and was team captain during the Six Nations, may return to the roster at some point in the tournament, but is unlikely to make it into the roster heading to France in September.

This resulted in the call-up of Sam Parry of the Ospreys, who joined Dewey Lake, Ryan Elias and Elliot Dee in a roster of four prostitutes. Meanwhile, both Josh McLeod and Will Davis-King pulled out due to shoulder and foot problems, respectively.

Wales will hold a two-week training camp in Switzerland from 3 July, followed by the following week in Turkey. Alex Cuthbert and Owen Williams will miss the Swiss leg for personal reasons, and calf complaints will keep Taulupe Faletau from attending the first week.

Warm-up tests will take place in August with Wales playing England in a home and away double header before hosting South Africa. At the World Cup itself, they share a group with Australia, Fiji, Georgia and Portugal.

Despite a disappointing Six Nations team of four defeats and a win against Italy, and news of the departures of Jones, Tipurik and Webb, Gatland described his players' progress during Wales' training camp as «amazing.»

Latest odds

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