The Rugby Broadcast Report Issue 10: Rugby TV Guide 4-6 July
Never miss a game
Welcome to the latest issue of the Rugby Broadcast Report, covering this weekend’s fixtures and the latest rugby media rights news.
After a cracking Top 14 final in which Toulouse secured a narrow victory over Bordeaux in extra time, attention this week turns to the summer tour games with England away to Argentina, Ireland facing Georgia in Tbilisi and Wales taking on Eddie Jones’ Japan at a sold-out Mikuni World Stadium in Japan.
The Lions tour continues as they take on the Waratahs, the second round of the World Rugby U20 Championship takes place on Friday with free coverage on RugbyPass TV. Italy travel to South Africa to take on the Springboks, Australia host Fiji and the All Blacks get a chance to let the rugby do the talking against a weakened French side (more on this below).
The final round of the Asia Rugby Men’s Championship also takes place this weekend, in addition to U20s women’s action, and a number of exciting international friendlies.
Irish and UK kick-off times and broadcast details for all games are listed below.
Fixture of the weekend (admittedly biased)
International: New Zealand v France
Kick-off: Saturday, 8:05am IRL & UK / 7:05pm local
TV: Sky Sports ME & Action / NOW
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Ref: Nic Berry (Australia)
TMO: Damon Murphy (Australia)
The narrative in the build up to this test match has been focused on France's decision to give their best players some well earned time off. Former All Black Justin Marshall suggested during the week that the All Blacks should consider not inviting France in future unless their star players are travelling. It's important to note, however, that the reason Fabien Galthié’s hands were tied is due to an agreement between the FFR and the LNR that ensures that players get sufficient rest. As such, with player welfare being such an important topic at present, it is completely understandable that France have sent an inexperienced squad.
All Blacks: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Tupou Vaa’i, 7. Ardie Savea, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Will Jordan. Replacements: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Samipeni Finau, 20. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Quinn Tupaea, 23. Damian McKenzie
France: 1. Giorgi Beria, 2. Gaetan Barlot, 3. Rabah Slimani, 4. Hugo Auradou, 5. Tyler Duguid, 6. Alexandre Fischer, 7. Killian Tixeront, 8. Mickael Guillard, 9. Nolann Le Garrec, 10. Joris Segonds, 11. Gabin Villière, 12. Gael Fickou (c), 13. Emilien Gailleton, 14. Tom Spring, 15. Theo Attissogbe. Replacements: 16. Pierre Bourgarit, 17. Paul Mallez, 18. Regis Montagne, 19. Romain Taofifenua, 20. Cameron Woki, 21. Jacobus van Tonder, 22. Baptiste Jauneau, 23. Antoine Hastoy.
Verdict: All Blacks
Quote of the week
We definitely do some regular commentary with a lead and co-commentator. But, with the model of our live, we can also pick out questions in the comments when there's a lull and dive into off-match topics. – James Lewis
James Lewis is one of the individuals behind FR-UK rugby, which recently acquired the broadcast rights to the Pro D2. In an interview with the Inside Welsh Rugby newsletter, Lewis discussed what will distinguish FR-UK’s coverage from that of traditional broadcasters.
The concept of reading out comments during a live broadcast will help viewers feel more engaged with not only the product, but also with FR-UK themselves, and it will help promote a sense of community.
The piece also touches on recent remarks from URC CEO Martin Anayi during a recent media round table in which Anayi revealed that the URC is exploring YouTube as a means of free-to-air coverage.
Rugby media rights news
The Top 14 final attracted more than 5 million viewers in France. Free-to-air broadcaster France Télévisions attracted nearly 4.2 million viewers, which is the free-to-air channel’s highest figures for a Top 14 final since 2014. It was also revealed this week that Canal+ drew 920,000 viewers for the final.
Thanks to the Samoan Rugby Union’s Facebook account, it has been revealed that Scotland’s game against Samoan will be shown by BBC Sport and Premier Sports. In addition, Scotland’s game against Fiji is now listed on the Premier Sports website. At time of writing, there has been no press release from the Scottish Rugby Union, Premier Sports or the BBC yet.
Virgin Media confirmed that it will broadcast Ireland’s test matches against Georgia and Portugal. The IRFU also confirmed that RugbyPass TV will provide free coverage outside the Republic of Ireland.
As noted in last week’s Rugby Broadcast Report, BBC Wales will show Japan v Wales this weekend, with S4C showing the second fixture next week.
For fans outside the UK, Ireland and other countries, it has been confirmed that NZR+ will broadcast non-Lions tests involving SANZAAR teams, including the Rugby Championship. More details can be found here.
The pool draws for next season's Champions Cup and Challenge Cup were held during the week – you can view the pools here. Interestingly, during the broadcast it was stated that the 2024-2025 season saw “record-breaking TV audiences,” however no figures were provided.
TNT Sports' coverage of the 2024 Autumn Nations Series has won the Best Sports or Live event coverage award at the Broadcast Digital Awards. The 2024 Series was the first year of TNT's two year deal. The broadcaster has shifted its focus from European cup rugby to international rugby recently so this award will be particularly pleasing for TNT.
The 2026 Men’s Six Nations and the Top 14 final will be available on Amazon in France next year, after the free-to-air broadcaster France Télévisions recently announced that its linear channels have been launched on Prime Video. This also means that select games from this year’s Women’s World Cup will be available to watch on Prime Video.
Sky Sports comms
It seems like most of my feed agreed with EK Rugby Analysis. Do you?
TV Guide July 4-6
Friday 4 July
11:00am – Sri Lanka v UAE (Asia Rugby Men’s Championship) – RugbyPass TV / YouTube
2:30pm – France U20 v Wales U20 (U20s Championship) – RugbyPass TV
2:30pm – Australia U20 v Scotland U20 (U20s Championship) – RugbyPass TV
5:00pm – England U20 v South Africa U20 (U20s Championship) – RugbyPass TV
5:00pm – New Zealand U20 v Georgia U20 (U20s Championship) – RugbyPass TV
7:30pm – Ireland U20 v Italy U20 (U20s Championship) – RugbyPass TV
7:30pm – Argentina U20 v Spain U20 (U20s Championship) – RugbyPass TV
Saturday 5 July
4:35am – Māori All Blacks v Scotland (International) – Sky Sports ME & Action / NOW
6:00am – Japan v Wales (International) – BBC 1 Wales / iPlayer / Unavailable in ROI
7:00am – Republic of Korea v Hong Kong (Asia Rugby Men’s Championship) – RugbyPass TV / YouTube
8:05am – New Zealand v France (International) – Sky Sports ME & Action / NOW
11:00am – Waratahs v Lions (B&I Lions Tour) – Sky Sports ME & Action / NOW
12:30pm – South Africa Women v Canada Women (International) – RugbyPass TV
1:00pm – France U20 Women v Italy U20 Women (U20s Women’s Summer Series) – YouTube
3:30pm – Wales U20 Women v Ireland U20 Women (U20s Women’s Summer Series) – YouTube
4:10pm – South Africa v Italy (International) – Sky Sports Action / NOW
6:00pm – Georgia v Ireland (International) – RugbyPass TV / Virgin Media 1 & Player
6:00pm – England U20 Women v Scotland U20 Women (U20s Women’s Summer Series) – YouTube
8:00pm – Chile v Romania (International) – RugbyPass TV
8:40pm – Argentina v England (International) – Sky Sports ME & Action / NOW
Sunday 6 July
12:30am – USA v Belgium (International) – RugbyPass TV
4:30am – Australia v Fiji (International) – Sky Sports ME & Action / NOW
Useful links (all free)
YouTube (Asia Rugby Men’s Championship)
YouTube (U20s Women’s Summer Series)
Something new in the works
For years I’ve been maintaining a rugby media rights tracker that now contains over 150 rugby specific media rights deals from across the globe. I hope to make the tracker available in the coming weeks – if you think this is something that you or your organisation would like to gain access to, please let me know.
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