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Rugby

21st Aug 2023

RTÉ and Virgin Media announce punditry line-ups for 2023 Rugby World Cup

Niall McIntyre

All 48 games of the 2023 Rugby World Cup will be shown on free-to-air television in Ireland.

Between them, RTÉ and Virgin Media will broadcast the tournament from start-to-finish, live from Paris, with all the action kicking off with a blockbuster contest on Friday September 8.

The iconic Stade de France will host the clash of pre-tournament favourites New Zealand and France that night as the curtain gets pulled in spectacular fashion.

RTÉ will have 21 pool games to Virgin Media’s 19, but Virgin showing the Irish quarter final (should we progress) while RTÉ will show the Ireland semi-final (again, should we progress).

Virgin media line-up:

Joe Molloy will present the Virgin Media Television coverage, and will be joined by pundits Rob Kearney, Matt Williams, Andrew Trimble, Fiona Hayes, Grace Davitt, Eimear Considine and Ian Madigan. Dave McIntyre will be on commentary, alongside Alan Quinlan as co-commentator.

Welsh legend Alun Wyn Jones, who amassed 170 caps in a remarkable international career, is their late addition to the line-up.

Tommy Martin will be pitch-side in France.

RTÉ Sport line-up:

RTÉ panellists and co-commentators this year include Jamie Heaslip, Simon Zebo, Jerry Flannery, Stephen Ferris, Fiona Coghlan, Bernard Jackman, Hannah Tyrrell, Donal, Lenihan and Darren Cave.

The coverage will be presented by Jacqui Hurley while Hugh Cahill, Des Curran and Connor Morris are on commentary. Daire O’Brien will also present a comprehensive round-up of the news and action from France on Against the Head on RTÉ2 each Monday.

RTÉ reporters including Clare MacNamara, Justin Treacy, Paul O’Flynn and Neil Treacy will be with the Ireland camp in France throughout the tournament.

Michael Corcoran and David Humphreys will also cover the tournament on RTÉ radio one.

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