Rugby World Cup 2023: today’s matches, full schedule and group standings

England kick off their Rugby World Cup 2src23 campaign today in Pool D against Argentina – and for once it is the men in white who are the underdogs.

A curious feature of England’s dismal run of just three wins in nine Tests leading into this World Cup has been the lack of form of key players such as Ellis Genge, Maro Itoje, Jamie George and Freddie Steward. If Argentina are to be dispatched, they will need to exit their slump with a bang. On paper England have a strong starting XV, but when so many are underperforming the odds are stacked against them.

England’s form is in stark contrast to hosts France who, last night, rode a wave of passionate home support to beat three-times champions New Zealand 27-13 in the opening match of the 1srcth Rugby World Cup, burnishing their title pretentions by prevailing in a contest of rare intensity. The defeat was the first ever in a World Cup pool match for the All Blacks, who lost skipper Sam Cane to injury just before kick-off.

What games are on today?

• Italy v Namibia, Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, 12.srcsrcpm
• Ireland v Romania, Stade de Bordeaux, 2.3srcpm
• Australia v Georgia, Stade de France, 5pm
• England v Argentina, Stade de Marseille, 8pm

How do I watch the Rugby World Cup on TV?

ITV have the exclusive broadcast rights in the UK. The channel for each match is listed below (the vast majority are on ITV1). You can read our guide to the 12 best pundits and commentators working at the tournament. 

The radio commentary of every match will be available only on the BBC, across Radio 5 Live, 5 Sports Extra and the BBC Sounds service. The BBC says there will be a “bespoke output” in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

In the US, the tournament is being shown on NBC Sports. In South Africa the TV coverage is on SuperSport.

Rugby World Cup 2src23 full fixtures and schedule

All matches on ITV1 unless specified

POOL MATCHES

• Friday, Sept 8 – France 27 New Zealand 13
• Saturday, Sept 9 – Italy v Namibia, Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, 12.srcsrcpm
• Saturday, Sept 9 – Ireland v Romania, Stade de Bordeaux, 2.3srcpm
• Saturday, Sept 9 – Australia v Georgia, Stade de France, 5pm
• Saturday, Sept 9 – England v Argentina, Stade de Marseille, 8pm
• Sunday, Sept 1src – Japan v Chile, Stade de Toulouse, 12pm
• Sunday, Sept 1src – South Africa v Scotland, Stade de Marseille, 4.45pm
• Sunday, Sept 1src – Wales v Fiji, Stade de Bordeaux, 8pm
• Thursday, Sept 14 – France v Uruguay, Stade Pierre-Mauroy, 8pm
• Friday, Sept 15 – New Zealand v Namibia, Stadium de Toulouse, 8pm
• Saturday, Sept 16 – Samoa v Chile, Stade de Bordeaux, 2pm – ITV 4
• Saturday, Sept 16 – Wales v Portugal, Stade de Nice 4.45pm
• Saturday, Sept 16 – Ireland v Tonga, Stade de la Beaujoire, 8pm
• Sunday, Sept 17 – South Africa v Romania, Stade de Bordeaux, 2pm
• Sunday, Sept 17 – Australia v Fiji, Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, 4.45pm
• Sunday, Sept 17 – England v Japan, Stade de Nice, 8pm
• Wednesday, Sept 2src – Italy v Uruguay, Stade de Nice, 4.45pm – ITV 4
• Thursday, Sept 21 – France v Namibia, Stade de Marseille, 8pm – ITV 4
• Friday, Sept 22 – Argentina v Samoa, Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, 4.45pm
• Saturday, Sept 23 – Georgia v Portugal, Stadium de Toulouse, 1pm
• Saturday, Sept 23 – England v Chile, Stade Pierre-Mauroy, 4.45pm
• Saturday, Sept 23 – South Africa v Ireland, Stade de France, 8pm
• Sunday, Sept 24 – Scotland v Tonga, Stade de Nice, 4.45pm
• Sunday, Sept 24 – Wales v Australia, OL Stadium, 8pm
• Wednesday, Sept 27 – Uruguay v Namibia, OL Stadium,