As the anticipation for the Rugby World Cup Final 2023 reaches fever pitch, fans around the world are gearing up to watch New Zealand and South Africa clash at the Stade de France on Saturday, 28 October. The match kicks off at 8pm BST, with build-up coverage starting at 7.30pm on BBC Radio 5 Live, hosted by Sonja McLaughlan.
The BBC has been at the forefront of the tournament’s coverage, providing comprehensive live commentary across 48 matches on platforms such as BBC Radio 5 Live, 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds, and the BBC Sport website. The commentary team boasts renowned figures in the sport, including Chris Jones, Sara Orchard, and Andrew Cotter, along with Gareth Lewis, Alastair Eykyn, Conor McNamara, and James Burridge.
This tournament has been enriched by a stellar line-up of rugby experts offering their opinion and analysis during live coverage and podcasts. The list includes the likes of Matt Dawson, Chris Ashton, Johnnie Beattie, Tommy Bowe, Rocky Clark, Paul Grayson, Andrew Mehrtens, Kat Merchant, Ugo Monye, Stirling Mortlock, Bobby Skinstad, and Philippa Tuttiett.
Besides the live match commentary, fans can look forward to daily podcasts from the Rugby Union Daily team, covering major stories from the tournament, big interviews, and the latest updates from team camps. On BBC Sounds, listeners can also tune into a special Rugby World Cup Top Ten podcast series, where World Cup winners Matt Dawson and Bryan Habana join Chris Jones in debating the best moments, matches, and players in World Cup history.
Moreover, Sara Orchard explores the impact of climate change on rugby union in a special programme, featuring an interview with former Australian star turned activist David Pocock. BBC Scotland, BBC Ulster, and BBC Wales are also contributing bespoke programming for fans throughout the tournament.
With the final weekend upon us, all eyes will be on the Stade de France. Whether you’re a die-hard rugby fan or new to the sport, BBC’s extensive coverage ensures you won’t miss a moment of this thrilling showdown.