ITV announces stellar 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup line up

For the very first time, a UK broadcaster will show all games live in a Women’s Rugby World Cup on free to air television, with matches shown across ITV and ITV4.

 

All home nation matches from England, Scotland and Wales will be broadcast live on ITV, for fans to enjoy the very best of the action. ITV’s substantial coverage and content can be viewed across all ITV Rugby’s social platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, so fans won’t miss a minute of the tournament.  

 

Match highlights will also be available on ITV Rugby’s YouTube channel from every game, with behind-the-scenes content with the home nations on the ground in New Zealand. Jill Douglas will be joined by Maggie Alphonsi, Nolli Waterman, David Flatman, Philippa Tuttiett and Deborah McCormack, providing in-depth knowledge, analysis and expertise of every key moment across the tournament.

 

Commentary will come from Nick Mullins, Johnnie Hammond, Nick Heath and Claire Thomas, supported by co-commentators Catherine Spencer, Rachel Taylor, Heather Lockhart and Topsy Ojo. The team will be joined by Rachel Burford and Laura Jane Jones who will report live from New Zealand.

 

ITV will show all 26 live matches in an action packed month featuring the world's best teams and star players - kicking off the action on Saturday 8th October, with the first match of the tournament South Africa v France on ITV4.

 

England will face Fiji on the opening day of the competition, with action live on ITV from 4:30am (UK time). Scotland and Wales will face each other in what many are calling a key crunch fixture for the two teams, on Sunday 9th October, live on ITV from 5:30am (UK time).

 

Later that morning, hosts and current World Cup champions, New Zealand, face their old rivals , Australia with the game shown on ITV4, kicking off at 7:15am (UK time). ITV will continue to cover all of the action as the teams progress to the quarter finals - a first forthe World Cup tournament - into the semi-finals and the final on Saturday 12th November.

 

All Home Nations fixtures will be broadcast live on ITV. A full list below:8/10 - England v Fiji - On air 4:30am - ITV9/10 - Wales v Scotland - On air 5:30 - ITV15/10 - Scotland v Australia - On air 02:45 - ITV15/10 - England v France - On air 07:30 - ITV16/10 - Wales v NZ - On air 03:00 - ITV22/10 - Wales v Australia followed by Scotland v New Zealand from 02:00 - ITV23/10 - England v SA - 05:30 - ITV

ITV’s build up to the tournament kicks off with a special documentary on Monday 3rd and Tuesday 4th October, 22:50, on ITV. Wear the Rose: An England Rugby Dream is a two-partspecial following the England Women’s Rugby team as they prepare for the biggest tournament in women’s international rugby. The documentary showcases behind the scenes footage and interviews with players as the England team are on an incredible 25 game unbeaten run.