Prime to cover World Cup warm up games
TOKYO, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 02: Bill Beaumont, President of World Rugby looks on during the Rugby World Cup 2019 match schedule announcement at Grand Prince Hotel Shin Takanawa on November 2, 2017 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Prime Video are planning on broadcasting Rugby World Cup 2023 warm-up matches involving all the Six Nations teams this summer.
Scotland's clash against Italy at Murrayfield on July 29 will be the first of this summer's matches to be shown live and coverage will continue throughout August as teams ramp up preparations for the global gathering in France.
Wales and England are scheduled to play each other, home and away, in addition to one more fixture.
Wales will also welcome the Springboks to Cardiff on August 19, while England take on Fiji at Twickenham on August 27, in a repeat of the RWC 2015 opener, Ireland's games against Italy and England on August 5 and August 19 will be shown live, but it is not known yet whether the Six Nations champions' game against Samoa, in Bayonne on August 26, will get the same treatment.
After the Italy game, Scotland play France home and away and finish their build-up with a final game at Murrayfield against Georgia on the final weekend in August.
On top of their back-to-back fixtures against Scotland, France are at home to Fiji and Australia.
Even Italy's game against Romania, on August 19, is thought to be on the extensive schedule, although the venue for that match has yet to be confirmed.
In addition to fixtures involving the Six Nations teams, the blockbuster between the All Blacks and reigning world champions South Africa at Twickenham on August 25 could also be broadcast live as Prime Video further demonstrates its commitment to international rugby.
The online streaming service first got involved with international rugby for the Autumn Nations Cup in 2020 and has covered the Autumn Internationals ever since.
With the BT Sport/ TNT Sports Premiership Rugby TV deal only having a season left to run, it will be interesting to see if Prime Video decides to step into the club rugby market as well.
The BBC has secured exclusive audio rights to all 48 matches of the Rugby World Cup.
The tournament kicks off at Stade de France on Friday, September 8, with the the host nation facing New Zealand.
“We are delighted the BBC has secured the UK audio rights for Rugby World Cup 2023,” World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said.
England start their World Cup campaign against Argentina on September 9, the same day Ireland face Romania. Scotland meet South Africa on the following day, with Wales also playing Fiji.
Former England captain Beaumont added: “With almost 100 days to go, France 2023 is shaping up to be the greatest celebration of rugby and togetherness in the sport's 200th birthday year and the BBC's expert storytelling, reporting, commentary and analysis will ensure listeners are at the heart of the celebrations.”
