How to watch Rugby World Cup 2023 on TV today – and the 12 best commentators, ranked

The Rugby World Cup got off to a flying start last weekend, with hosts France beating New Zealand in front of a raucous crowd at the Stade de France.

Of these seven weeks, there are 27 days during which a rugby match is played. And most match days there is more than one match, with the majority of matches taking place on the weekend.

For the full list of matches, check out our dedicated tournament schedule guide. And if you’re looking for a wall chart, we have one too. Scroll down to see our ranking of the top 12 gaming commentators and experts.

How to watch the 2023 Rugby World Cup on TV in the UK

In the United Kingdom, the tournament is broadcast only on ITV.

The main presenter is Mark Pougatch, who usually leads the channel’s football coverage. Jill Douglas will share presenting duties, from France, alongside David Flatman and Hugh Woozencroft.

Other pundits on the ITV roster include Jonny Wilkinson, Sam Warburton, Brian O’Driscoll, Bryan Habana, Clive Woodward, Sergio Parisse, Lawrence Dallaglio and Sean Fitzpatrick.

Lead commentary duties will fall to Nick Mullins, Miles Harrison, Johnnie Hammond, Martin Gillingham and Claire Thomas, while ITV’s co-commentary team includes Ben Kay, Shane Williams and Scott Hastings.

Interviews will be conducted by Gabriel Clarke, Lee McKenzie and Topsy Ojo.

In the United States, the tournament is broadcast on NBC Sports. In South Africa, television coverage is on SuperSport.

How to listen to the radio

Live radio coverage of Rugby World Cup 2023 matches is exclusively broadcast on the BBC. The matches will be broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live, 5 Sports Extra and on BBC Sounds.

Sonja McLaughlan is the main radio presenter. Other BBC Radio pundits and co-commentators include Matt Dawson, Chris Ashton and Ugo Monye.

Which ITV channel are the games broadcast on?

All matches will be broadcast on ITV1 with the exception of the following eight matches

• Italy v Uruguay (September 20) – ITV4
• France v Namibia (September 21) – ITV4
• Uruguay v Namibia (September 27) – ITV4
• Japan v Samoa (September 28) – ITV4
• Australia v Portugal (October 1) – ITV4
• New Zealand v Uruguay (October 5) – ITV4
• Tonga v Romania (October 8) – ITV3
• Fiji v Portugal (October 8) – ITV4

By Charles Richardson

As rugby prepares to welcome an army of casual fans, here is our guide to the best experts and commentators working in the sport.

To avoid any conflict of interest, three Telegraph columnists were deemed ineligible for selection in this list: Brian Moore, Maggie Alphonsi and Sir Ian McGeechan.

12. Laurent Dallaglio (ITV)

Prone to rambling, but amidst the occasional waffle there can be a lot of sense. Like his England captain, Johnson (see below), Dallaglio is frank and not afraid to speak his mind, but knowledge of the laws of the game can often be lacking. Cunning in this area was one of his strengths as a player; not really an expert. However, a fervent supporter of rugby on a daily basis; he is a better listener than most.

11. Bobby Skinstad (BBC)

He was a breath of fresh air in the early 2000s alongside Stuart Barnes, Dewi Morris and Simon Lazenby on the much-loved (and much-missed!) Sky Sports magazine show, The Rugby Club. No longer a regular on the British airwaves but, like Fitzpatrick, a southern hemisphere perspective is valuable, even if not always pleasant.

10. Martin Johnson (BBC)

A bit terse and matter-of-fact – a full member of the “why use two words when one will do” brigade – but that’s almost its strength. Just like he was as a player, he doesn’t fill the airwaves with idle chatter and when he speaks, people listen. An almost unparalleled insight, in expert terms, into what it takes to lead and succeed at the top, but who hasn’t been involved in the elite game for some time.

9. Scott Hastings (ITV)

Although the former Scotland center retired professionally in 1997, his erudite expertise, coupled with his gentle tone, means he is often elevated to senior commentator. Such promotion is only given to the strictest broadcasters; those who, like Hastings, are not afraid to let action speak. Unlike some of his peers, it is clear that he continues to follow football attentively.

8. Ben Kay (ITV)

Astute and analytical in forward exchanges – particularly on the set piece, his domain as a player – and, in fairness, he is well versed in the laws and the latest instructions from referees. Attempts at “joking” can be irritating, mind you, and he tends to overcomplicate when calling a spade a spade might be more helpful to the viewer.