Rugby World Cup 2027 expanded to 24 teams, England draw Wales

Yesterday at 01:28 PM

The Rugby World Cup could be heading behind a paywall in the UK from 2027, with World Rugby exploring ways to cash in on its biggest tournament.

Right now, the only match legally required to be on free-to-air (FTA) TV in the UK is the final—thanks to the government's list of 'crown jewel' events. But since 1991, every edition has been shown on FTA, with ITV taking the reins from the BBC.

Big money calls?

World Rugby has previously turned down offers from pay-TV giants like Sky Sports, opting for the wider reach of terrestrial TV. But times are changing.

The governing body has already teamed up with subscription broadcasters in Italy, South Africa, and New Zealand, and its own streaming platform, Rugbypass.TV, is now up and running.

CEO Alan Gilpin told The Telegraph that the rise of Netflix and Amazon Prime has opened up new possibilities, forcing the organisation to rethink its approach.

The balancing act

While reach remains a priority, World Rugby also needs to bring in the cash to grow the sport. Gilpin admitted it's a delicate balance but didn't rule out a shift towards paid platforms.

"There's no doubt that free TV and partners like ITV, who have been great partners for us, are a part of that future," he said. "Because we want to reach audiences that wouldn't otherwise pay for a subscription for rugby."

Could we be watching the World Cup on Amazon Prime in 2027? The debate is heating up.

Join the RUCK's WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.

Seeding Pots Recap

Pot 1:
South Africa, New Zealand, Ireland, France, Argentina, England

Pot 2:
Scotland, Australia, Fiji, Italy, Georgia, Wales

Pot 3:
Japan, Samoa, USA, Spain, Uruguay, Portugal

Pot 4:
Tonga, Romania, Chile, Belgium, Hong Kong China, Canada

Random Draw – Six Groups of Four

EDITORS PICKS:

• Get a Chance to Watch the Lions in Australia
• England star could join Six Nations rivals following lengthy exile
• Maro Itoje confirms shock move ahead of 2025 British & Irish Lions tour
• Manu Tuilagi now odds on to make the British & Irish Lions squad

Alun Wyn Jones and Owen Farrell included on list of worst British & Irish Lions 

The British & Irish Lions is the pinnacle of a player’s career – a chance to prove yourself against the very best. But not everyone rises to the occasion.

While some have cemented their legacies in red jerseys, others have left fans wondering how they even made the squad.

From unfortunate injuries to underwhelming performances, we take a look at some of the worst Lions players across different tours, with big names like Owen Farrell and Alun Wyn Jones making the cut.

2021 tour: Owen Farrell – The forgotten playmaker

Owen Farrell, one of the most recognisable and influential players in modern rugby, endured a tour to forget in South Africa. Despite his vast experience and reputation as a leader, Farrell was named by SA Rugby Mag as the worst-performing Lion on the tour.

Initially expected to play a key role, he started three games and featured off the bench in the first two Tests.

However, as the series decider loomed, head coach Warren Gatland made a brutal call – dropping Farrell from the matchday 23 entirely. It was a stark fall from grace for a player who was once considered indispensable.

WIN A TRIP TO THE 2025 LIONS:

THE PACKAGE INCLUDES

• 2 x Return flight tickets from the UK to Australia
• 2 x Tickets to watch the 2nd Test in Melbourne
• 2 x Tickets to watch the 3rd Test in Sydney
• 4 x Night's accommodation in Melbourne with bed & breakfast (24-27 July)
• 7 x Night's accommodation in Sydney with bed & breakfast (28 July-3 Aug)
• 2 x Flight tickets Melbourne to Sydney including airport hotel group transfers
• 2 x Tickets to watch a private function with Lions legends
• Additional events to be announced

The winner will be part of the Lions supporters group with tour representatives on hand to oversee everything.

UK CUSTOMERS LEARN MORE HERE

CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO

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