BBC Sport will air five live international England Rugby matches, including England’s men’s, women’s, wheelchair rugby league, while ITV will broadcast the rugby union Rugby World Cup.
Tom Halliwell’s World Cup winner will return to action for the first time since their 28-24 dramatic victory against France at the First Direct Arena in Leeds on November 5. The match will be live on BBC Two & BBC iPlayer.
Autumn Internationals Matches coverage details:
Sunday 22 October: England Men v Tonga Men, first Test at Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens – 2.30pm, BBC One & BBC iPlayer
Saturday 28 October: England Men v Tonga Men, second Test at John Smith’s Stadium, Huddersfield – 2.30pm, BBC One & BBC iPlayer
Saturday 4 November: England Women v Wales Women, Headingley Stadium, Leeds – 12pm, BBC Two & BBC iPlayer
Saturday 4 November: England Men v Tonga Men, third Test at Headingley Stadium, Leeds – 2.30pm, BBC One & BBC iPlayer
Sunday 5 November: England Wheelchair v France Wheelchair, First Direct Arena, Leeds – 3.15pm, BBC Two & BBC iPlayer
On November 4, it would be the first time when England and Tonga will be facing each other. The last meeting between the two nations was the classic World Cup semi-final in 2017 when England held off a thrilling last fightback in Auckland.
Barbara Slater, Director of BBC Sport said:
“All 61 games of last year’s exhilarating Rugby League World Cup, across the Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair tournaments, were broadcast live on the BBC. It was a privilege to be the home of that tournament, and it’s a privilege to continue to broadcast live Rugby League internationals on free-to-air television. Alongside the England Men’s series against Tonga and the home nation Women’s clash between England and Wales, it is a tantalizing prospect to have a rematch of last year’s thrilling Wheelchair final between England and France live on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, and BBC Sport Online."
Managing Director of Rugby League Commercial, Rhodri Jones, says:
"We are delighted to confirm both that the England Wheelchair team will return to action on November 5 with a rematch against France, and that BBC Sport will provide coverage to the nation of all five of our home England internationals this autumn. Last year’s World Cup was such a positive event for the sport, with huge support for our three England teams as they won 10 games out of 10 to reach the Semi-Finals of the Men’s, Women’s, and Wheelchair competitions, and the Wheelchair team going on to be crowned world champions on a truly memorable night in Manchester.
"BBC Sport’s coverage ensured that the success of all three teams was celebrated by the widest possible audience, and now we can look forward to a repeat in 2023. With the confirmation of the first Wheelchair Rugby League International in the superb facilities of the First Direct Arena the following day, it promises to be a memorable weekend of Rugby League in Leeds."
The BBC's coverage of international rugby this autumn will start in late October with two games between England and Tonga from St. Helens and Huddersfield.
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