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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Exclusive by Matt Hughes

ITV agrees deal for 2027 Rugby World Cup and sews up rights to England men

Marcus Smith and Maro Itoje with their bronze medals after England won in the 2023 Rugby World Cup playoff against Argentina
Marcus Smith and Maro Itoje with their bronze medals after England’s win in the 2023 Rugby World Cup playoff against Argentina. Photograph: David Ramos/World Rugby/Getty Images

ITV has agreed a deal for live rights to the 2027 men’s Rugby World Cup in a move that cements its position as the home of international rugby in the UK. The new contract will ensure that ITV has live coverage of every England international until at least 2029, as its joint Six Nations deal with the BBC gives it two-thirds of the tournament’s games and all of England matches.

The commercial broadcaster has also bought live rights for every game of the 2026 and 2028 editions of the new Nations Championship, which begins on Saturday with six matches including New Zealand v France, Australia v Ireland and South Africa v England.

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