Watch New Zealand vs France on ITV 1: Ugo Monye, Gareth Rhys Owen, and Sean Fitzpatrick Lead Rugby Nations Championship Coverage
Match date:
Archived Match
This match took place on 4 July 2026.
See commentator listings for today's matches.
See commentator listings for today's matches.
The Rugby Nations Championship 2026 kicks off with a blockbuster clash between New Zealand and France live on ITV 1, offering UK viewers free-to-air access to the world’s premier rugby tournament viewers in the United Kingdom will be able to watch every game on ITV after the free-to-air broadcaster struck a deal to show the competition[2][3]. The match starts at 08:10 UK time on Saturday, 4 July 2026, from One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch, and is part of the inaugural Southern Hemisphere Series featuring 12 top nations across 42 matches and seven weekends of action[2][3]. As ITV has secured free-to-air coverage for 2026 and 2028 alongside their Six Nations and Summer Nations Series broadcasts, this event marks the most comprehensive rugby coverage in British history[4]. The broadcast lineup is led by presenter Ugo Monye, a former England international and seasoned rugby pundit known for his insightful commentary during Six Nations and Rugby World Cup broadcasts[4]. Main commentator Gareth Rhys Owen, who has covered major international fixtures including World Cup finals and Six Nations tournaments, brings decades of live rugby experience to the microphone[4]. Co-commentator Benjamin Kayser, a former French sea captain and World Cup-winning lock, adds tactical depth with his firsthand knowledge of international rugby at the highest level[4]. The panel features two world-class pundits: Maggie Alphonsi, a former England captain and World Cup winner who is celebrated for her articulate analysis and advocacy for women’s rugby[4], and Sean Fitzpatrick, one of New Zealand’s most revered former All Blacks captains with 112 test caps and a legacy as a cornerstone of the 1990s All Blacks dynasty[4]. This fixture is the first of Round One in the Southern Hemisphere Series, which also includes Japan vs Italy, Australia vs Ireland, Fiji vs Wales, South Africa vs England, and Argentina vs Scotland[2][5]. The tournament replaces traditional summer tours and the Autumn Nations Series, aiming to create greater context in the international calendar by inviting Fiji and Japan to join the Six Nations and Rugby Championship sides[2]. The championship culminates in a finals weekend at Twickenham from 27 to 29 November 2026, where Northern 1 will face Southern 1 for the Nations Championship title[2]. For full fixture details and tournament structure, visit the official Nations Championship website at https://nationschampionshiprugby.com[6]. With ITV 1, ITV HD, and ITV X providing geo-restricted streaming in the UK, and STV Player and STV Scotland HD covering Scotland, fans across Britain can tune in from 08:10 BST to witness the opening round of rugby’s newest global competition[2]. The match between New Zealand and France is not only a clash of two rugby superpowers but also the debut of a tournament designed to elevate the sport’s international profile, with the world’s 12 biggest teams competing for supremacy across the Northern and Southern Hemispheres[3]. As the first round sets the stage for the rest of the season, expect electric rugby, high stakes, and unforgettable moments from Christchurch as the All Blacks and Les Bleus battle for early dominance in the Nations Championship[6].
Article generated: 4 July 2026, 08:20 GMT