Rugby World Cup 2023 schedule, groups and how to watch as England chase their second title in France

The Rugby World Cup kicks off next month, with England chasing its second title.

This year’s tournament takes place in France, with South Africa looking to successfully retain the trophy.

Handre Pollard produced a superb masterclass in leading the Springboks to a 32-12 win against England in the 2019 final.

The win over England saw South Africa clinch their third World Cup, with Springboks now tied with New Zealand for most wins at the tournament.

Mail Sport breaks down everything you need to know ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

Groups

England have received a favorable draw for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

Borthwick’s men were drawn in the same group as Japan, Argentina, Samoa and Chile.

Host country France has been drawn in Group A along with favorites France and Italy, Uruguay and Namibia

• 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

locations

Nine host cities and nine stadiums across France will welcome the best players and fans in the world next year.

The 48 matches at this year’s World Cup will be spread over nine locations.

The Stade de France in Saint-Denis is scheduled for the final on Saturday, October 28.

Below is a full list of the locations:

• Stade de France
• Stade Velodrome
• Parc Olympique Lyonnais
• Stade Pierre-Mauroy
• Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux
• Stade Geoffroy-Guichard
• Alliance Riviera
• Stade de la Beaujoire
• Stadium municipal

How to watch

ITV has bought the exclusive rights to the World Cup in France.

Rugby fans can also stream the action live via the official ITVX app.

For those watching in Australia, Stan Sports will be covering the tournament live.

Full schedule

*All times in GMT*

Friday Sept 8

• Pool A: France vs New Zealand – Paris – 8pm

Saturday September 9

• Group A: Italy vs Namibia – Saint-Etienne – 12 hours

Saturday September 9

• Group B: Ireland vs Romania – Bordeaux – 2.30pm

Saturday September 9

• Pool C: Australia vs Georgia – Paris – 5pm

Saturday September 9

• Pool D: England vs Argentina – Marseille – 8pm

Sunday Sept 10

• Group D: Japan vs Chile – Toulouse – 12 hours

Sunday Sept 10

• Group B: South Africa vs Scotland – Marseille – 4.45pm
• Pool C: Wales vs Fiji – Bordeaux – 8pm

Thursday Sept 14

• Pool A: France vs Uruguay – Lille – 8pm

Friday Sept 15

• Pool A: New Zealand vs Namibia – Toulouse – 8pm

Saturday Sept 16

• Group D: Samoa vs Chile – Bordeaux – 2pm
• Group C: Wales vs Portugal – Nice – 4.45pm
• Pool B: Ireland vs Tonga – Nantes – 8pm

Sunday Sept 17

• Pool B: South Africa vs Romania – Bordeaux – 2pm
• Group C: Australia vs Fiji – Saint-Etienne – 4.45pm
• Pool D: England vs Japan – Nice – 8pm

Wednesday Sept 20

• Group A: Italy vs Uruguay – Nice – 4.45pm

Thursday September 21

• Group A: France vs Namibia – Marseille – 8pm

Friday Sept 22

• Group D: Argentina vs Samoa – Saint-Etienne – 4.45pm

Saturday Sept 23

• Group C: Georgia vs Portugal – Toulouse – 1pm
• Group D: England vs Chile – Lille – 4.45pm
• Pool B: South Africa vs Ireland – Paris – 8pm

Sunday Sept 24

• Group B: Scotland vs Tonga – Nice – 4.45pm
• Pool C: Wales vs Australia – Lyon – 8pm

Wednesday Sept 27

• Group A: Uruguay vs Namibia – Lyon – 4.45pm

Thursday Sept 28

• Pool D: Japan vs Samoa – Toulouse – 8pm

Friday Sept 29

• Pool A: New Zealand vs Italy – Lyon – 8pm

Saturday Sept 30

• Group D: Argentina vs Chile – Nantes – 2pm
• Pool C: Fiji vs Georgia – Bordeaux – 4:45pm
• Pool B: Scotland vs Romania – Lille – 8pm

Sunday October 1

• Group C: Australia vs Portugal – Saint-Etienne – 4.45pm
• Group B: South Africa vs Tonga – Marseille – 8pm

Thursday October 5

• Pool A: New Zealand vs Uruguay – Lyon – 8pm

Friday, October 6

• Pool A: France vs Italy – Lyon – 8pm

Saturday October 7

• Pool C: Wales vs Georgia – Nantes – 2pm
• Group D: England vs Samoa – Lille – 4.45pm
• Pool B: Ireland vs Scotland – Paris – 8pm

Sunday October 8

• Group D: Japan vs Argentina – Nantes – 12 hours
• Group B: Tonga vs Romania – Lille – 4.45pm
• Pool C: Fiji vs Portugal – Toulouse – 8pm

* knockout matches to be announced *

Quarterfinals

Saturday October 14

• Quarter-final 1 (winner of group C vs second group D) – Marseille, 4 p.m
• Quarter-final 2 (winner of pool B vs second pool A) – Paris, 8 p.m

Sunday October 15

• Quarter-final 3 (winner of group D vs second group C) – Marseille, 4 p.m
• Quarter-final 4 (winner of pool A vs second pool B) – Paris, 8pm

Semi-finals

• Friday 20 October – Winner QF 1 v Winner QF 2, Stade de France, 8pm
• Saturday 21 October – Winner QF 3 v Winner QF 4, Stade de France, 8pm

Bronze final

• Friday October 27 – Runner-up SF 1 v Runner-up SF 2, Stade de France, 8pm

Last

• Saturday 28 October – Winner SF 1 v Winner SF 2, Stade de France, 8pm

Chances

New Zealand wins – 13/5

France wins – 13/5

South Africa win – 4/1

Ireland wins – 5/1

England win – 9/1

All odds through Paddy Power and correct at the time of publication.