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

The Rugby World Cup is set to get underway next month, with England looking to win their second title.

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

Handre Pollard produced a kicking masterclass to help guide the Springboks to a 32-12 victory against England in the 2019 final.

The win over England saw South Africa pick up their third World Cup, with Springboks now level with New Zealand for the most victories at the tournament. 

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

South Africa are the current holders of the competition after they defeated England in the 2019 final

Groups

England were handed a favourable draw for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

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

Hosts France have been drawn in Pool A along with favourites France as well as Italy, Uruguay and Namibia

• Pool A: New Zealand, France, Italy, Uruguay, Namibia
• Pool B: South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, Tonga, Romania
• Pool C: Wales, Australia, Fiji, Georgia, Portugal
• Pool D: England, Japan, Argentina, Samoa, Chile

Venues  

Nine host cities and nine stadiums across France will welcome the world’s best players and fans. 

The 48 games at this year’s World Cup will be split between nine venues. 

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

Below is a full list of the venues: 

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

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

How to watch

ITV have bought the exclusive rights for the World Cup in France.

Rugby fans will also be able to stream the action live on the official ITVX app.

For those watching in Australia, Stan Sports will be providing live coverage of the tournament.

France will be looking to win the tournament for the first time on home soil 

Full fixture schedule 

*All times in GMT* 

Friday 8 September

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

Saturday 9 September

• Pool A: Italy vs Namibia – Saint-Etienne – 12pm

Saturday 9 September

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

Saturday 9 September

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

Saturday 9 September

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

Sunday 10 September

• Pool D: Japan vs Chile – Toulouse – 12pm

Sunday 10 September

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

Thursday 14 September

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

Friday 15 September

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

Saturday 16 September

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

Sunday 17 September

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

Wednesday 20 September

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

Thursday 21 September

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

Friday 22 September

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

Saturday 23 September

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

Sunday 24 September

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

Wednesday 27 September

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

Thursday 28 September

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

Friday 29 September

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

Saturday 30 September

• Pool D: Argentina vs Chile – Nantes – 2pm
• Pool C: Fiji vs Georgia – Bordeaux – 4.45pm
• Pool B: Scotland vs Romania – Lille – 8pm

Sunday 1 October

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

Thursday 5 October

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

Friday 6 October

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

Saturday 7 October

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

Sunday 8 October

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

*knockout matches to be announced*

Quarter-finals 

Saturday October 14

• Quarter-Final 1 (Winner Pool C vs Runner-Up Pool D) – Marseille, 4pm
• Quarter-Final 2 (Winner Pool B vs Runner-Up Pool A) – Paris, 8pm

Sunday October 15

• Quarter-Final 3 (Winner Pool D vs Runner-Up Pool C) – Marseille, 4pm
• Quarter-Final 4 (Winner Pool A vs Runner-Up Pool B) – Paris, 8pm

Semi-finals

Friday October 20 

• Winner QF 1 v Winner QF 2, Stade de France, 8pm

Saturday October 21

•  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

Final

Saturday October 28

• Winner SF 1 v Winner SF 2, Stade de France, 8pm

New Zealand will be looking to pick up their fourth title at this year’s tournament 

Odds

New Zealand to win – 13/5

France to win – 13/5

South Africa to win – 4/1

Ireland to win – 5/1 

England to win – 9/1

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