Rugby

2019 RUGBY WORLD CUP FINAL FEATURING ENGLAND V. SOUTH AFRICA LIVE ON NBCSN & NBC SPORTS GOLD THIS SATURDAY

October 31, 2019 By admin Leave a Comment

LIVE Coverage Begins at 4:30 A.M. ET on Saturday; Encore Presentation of Final at Noon ET on NBC

New Behind the Scenes Feed on NBC Sports Gold Offers Fans Exclusive Access, Including Warm-Ups and Pre-Match Locker Room Look-Ins

Telemundo Deportes Provides Live Spanish-language Coverage of England v. South Africa on Universo

Bronze Final Featuring New Zealand v. Wales LIVE at 5 A.M. ET on Friday on NBCSN and NBC Sports Gold

USA Rugby Captain Blaine Scully to Join In-Studio Commentating Team for Final

STAMFORD, Conn. – Oct. 31, 2019 – England and South Africa will meet in the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final this Saturday at International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama, Japan, live at 5 a.m. ET on NBCSN and on NBC Sports’ direct-to-consumer streaming service NBC Sports Gold. Telemundo Deportes will provide Spanish-language live coverage of the match on Universo.

Coverage for England v. South Africa begins at 4:30 a.m. ET with a pre-match show. An encore presentation of the match will be presented on Saturday at Noon ET on NBC.

NBCSN and NBC Sports Gold will also present the 2019 Rugby World Cup Bronze Final between New Zealand and Wales live on Friday at 5 a.m. ET.

Following is this weekend’s Finals schedule on NBCSN and NBC Sports Gold:

Date	Round	Match	Pre-Match Show	Match Time
Friday, Nov. 1	Bronze Final	New Zealand v. Wales	—	5 a.m. ET
Saturday, Nov. 2	Final	England v. South Africa	4:30 a.m. ET	5 a.m. ET*#
Re-Airs on NBC at Noon ET #Spanish-language coverage live on Universo*

England defeated then-world No. 1 New Zealand, 19-7, in the Semi-Finals this past weekend to advance to the Final for the fourth time, although this will be their first Final appearance since 2007. England seek their second-ever Rugby World Cup championship, having previously won the title in 2003.

South Africa advanced to the Finals by beating Wales, 19-16. The Springboks look to secure their third Rugby World Cup title, and their first since 2007.

Saturday’s match will mark the fifth World Cup meeting all-time between the two nations, with South Africa holding a 3-1 advantage. The nations last met in the 2007 World Cup Final, when South Africa won, 15-6, to secure their second World Cup championship.

NBC Sports will provide live look-ins throughout the broadcast from Twickenham Stadium, home to England Rugby, which will host a World Cup Final viewing party for England fans.

NBC Sports Gold’s “Rugby World Cup Pass” will continue to provide live, commercial-free and on-demand coverage, and will also offer an exclusive viewing experience through its Behind the Scenes Feed. The Behind the Scenes Feed will provide fans exclusive looks at live player arrivals, pre-match locker room access, on-pitch drills and warm-ups and super slow-mo replays during live action.

NBC Sports Gold’s Tactical Cam, which was utilized last week in the Semi-Finals, will again be available, giving fans an exclusive alternative viewing experience which shows the entire pitch and every player, enabling viewers to see how the offensive and defensive schemes develop in real-time.

NBC Sports’ Leigh Diffey will host Rugby World Cup programming for the Final along with Sky Sports’ Rupert Cox, who will also handle the play-by-play call for both the Final and Bronze Final. NBC Sports’ rugby analysts Alex Corbisiero, who played internationally for England, and Brian Hightower, a former USA Rugby World Cup participant and USA Sevens captain, will serve as game analysts alongside Cox.

Dan Lyle, a former USA Rugby captain and Premiership Rugby player, will join Diffey, Cox, Corbisiero, and Hightower in studio coverage, including the pre-match show. USA Rugby captain Blaine Scully will join Diffey and Lyle in-studio for the Final.

Sky Sports’ Gail Davis will report on the Final live on-site from International Stadium Yokohama.

A new episode of The Scrumdown podcast is available now, as Scully joins Corbisiero to recap the Semi-Finals, preview the Finals and discuss the future of USA Rugby.

NBC Sports Gold provides rugby fans with unprecedented access to the 2019 Rugby World Cup with multiple direct-to-consumer live streaming passes, which include commercial-free coverage, live and on-demand, on desktop, mobile, tablet and connected TV devices.

Following are the NBC Sports Gold Rugby World Cup 2019 options available for purchase for the knockout rounds:

- “Rugby World Cup Pass”
  - Available for $99.99 for all remaining matches
  - Includes remaining World Cup Final and Bronze Final live, commercial-free and on-demand
    - On-demand viewings of all eight Knockout Round matches
  - Features exclusive original programming, pre- and post-day shows, extended match highlights and more
    - Includes digital access to “Wake Up with the World Cup,” which recaps the day’s action with NBC Sports’ rugby commentator team
  - “Rugby World Cup Single Match Pass”
    - Available for $34.99 per match
  - “All-Access Premium Rugby Pass”
    - Available for $144.99
    - Includes all offerings from “Rugby Pass” and “Rugby World Cup Pass”
    - “Rugby Pass” consists of all matches from the Premiership Rugby League, Six Nations Championship, Heineken Champions Cup, knock-out phase matches of the European Rugby Cup Challenge and men’s & women’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

ABOUT NBC SPORTS GOLD

NBC Sports Gold is NBC Sports’ direct-to-consumer live streaming product that provides sports fans with access to exclusive premium sports events and content, live and on-demand, at an affordable price. Launched in 2016 with a single cycling product, NBC Sports Gold currently offers 17 individual sports “passes” – twelve domestic (PGA TOUR LIVE, Premier League, Premier League Match Day, INDYCAR, Cycling, Track & Field, Premier Lacrosse League, Speed Skating, Rugby, Rugby World Cup, Supercross, and Snow, consisting of seven Olympic winter sports); two regional (Blazers and Philly); one combination (Supercross and Pro Motocross), two domestic and international (Figure Skating and Pro Motocross); and one international-only (Notre Dame Football). Find NBC Sports Gold in the NBC Sports app available on Apple iOS & tvOS, Android, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Chromecast and NBCSportsGold.com, and also on Xfinity X1 and Xfinity Flex.

-2019 RUGBY WORLD CUP-

2019 RUGBY WORLD CUP ENTERS SEMI-FINALS THIS WEEKEND LIVE ON NBCSN & NBC SPORTS GOLD

October 23, 2019 By admin Leave a Comment

England v. New Zealand LIVE Coverage at 3:30 A.M. ET on Saturday; Wales v. South Africa LIVE Coverage at 4:30 A.M. ET on Sunday

USA Rugby Captain Blaine Scully to Join In-Studio Commentating Team for Semi-Finals and Final

NBC Sports Gold’s Presentation of Semi-Finals to Include Exclusive Alternate Viewing Experience with Tactical Cam Showing Entire Pitch

Individual World Cup Knock-Out Round Matches Available for Purchase Through “Rugby World Cup Single Match Pass”

New Episode of The Scrumdown Podcast Previews Semi-Final Action with Alex Corbisiero, Brian Hightower and Dan Lyle

STAMFORD, Conn. – Oct. 23, 2019 – The 2019 Rugby World Cup enters the Semi-Finals this weekend as the world’s top-four ranked teams meet at International Stadium Yokohama live on NBCSN and NBC Sports Gold for the opportunity to play in the Rugby World Cup Final.

In addition to NBCSN’s live coverage, both matches will be available live, commercial-free and on-demand through NBC Sports Gold’s “Rugby World Cup Pass.” Coverage includes 30-minute pre-match shows, and both matches will also be re-aired later in the day on NBC.

World No. 1 New Zealand advanced to the Semi-Finals after defeating Ireland, 46-14, last weekend to set up a meeting with No. 2-ranked England, who beat Australia, 40-16, in the Quarter-Finals.

In the other Semi-Final matchup, Wales will face South Africa after coming from behind to defeat France in a thrilling 20-19 victory last week. South Africa, who is ranked No. 4 in the world behind Wales, advanced to the Semi-Finals by beating host-nation Japan, 26-3.

The four Semi-Finalists have combined to win six total World Cup championships: New Zealand (three), South Africa (two), and England (one). New Zealand is seeking its third consecutive World Cup championship, while Wales looks for its first-ever title.

NBC Sports Gold’s “Rugby World Cup Pass” will also offer an exclusive alternative viewing experience through its Tactical Cam. The Tactical Cam angle will show the entire pitch and every player, enabling viewers to see how the offensive and defensive schemes develop in real-time.

Following is this weekend’s Semi-Finals schedule on NBCSN and NBC Sports Gold:

Date	Match	Pre-Match Show	Match Time	NBC Re-Air
Saturday, Oct. 26	England v. New Zealand	3:30 a.m. ET	4 a.m. ET	2:30 p.m. ET
Sunday, Oct. 27	Wales v. South Africa	4:30 a.m. ET	5 a.m. ET	2:30 p.m. ET

NBC Sports’ Leigh Diffey will host Rugby World Cup programming across NBC Sports properties throughout the knock-out rounds along with Sky Sports’ Rupert Cox, who will also handle the play-by-play call for both Semi-Final matches and the Final. NBC Sports’ rugby analysts Alex Corbisiero, who played internationally for England, and Brian Hightower, a former USA Rugby World Cup participant and USA Sevens captain, will serve as game analysts alongside Cox.

Sky Sports’ Gail Davis and James Cole will provide live match reports on-site from International Stadium Yokohama, with Davis reporting on the England-New Zealand match and Cole handling Wales-South Africa responsibilities.

Dan Lyle, a former USA Rugby captain and Premiership Rugby player, will join Diffey, Cox, Corbisiero, and Hightower in studio coverage, including pre-match shows. USA Rugby captain Blaine Scully will join Diffey and Lyle in the studios for the Semi-Finals and Final.

The 2019 Rugby World Cup began on Sept. 20 and culminates with the Rugby World Cup Final on Saturday, Nov. 2, from International Stadium Yokohama. The World Cup Final will be available live on NBC Sports Gold, and re-aired on NBC. NBCSN will also present live coverage of the 2019 Final.

A new episode of The Scrumdown podcast is available now, as Hightower and Lyle join Corbisiero to review last weekend’s Quarter-Final matches and preview the Semi-Finals.

Following are the NBC Sports Gold Rugby World Cup 2019 options available for purchase for the knockout rounds:

- “Rugby World Cup Pass”
  - Available for $99.99 for all remaining matches
  - Includes remaining 4 matches live, commercial-free and on-demand
  - Features exclusive original programming, pre- and post-day shows, extended match highlights and more
    - Includes digital access to “Wake Up with the World Cup,” which recaps the day’s action with NBC Sports’ rugby commentator team
  - “Rugby World Cup Single Match Pass”
    - Available for $34.99 per match
  - “All-Access Premium Rugby Pass”
    - Available for $144.99
    - Includes all offerings from “Rugby Pass” and “Rugby World Cup Pass”
    - “Rugby Pass” consists of all matches from the Premiership Rugby League, Six Nations Championship, Heineken Champions Cup, knock-out phase matches of the European Rugby Cup Challenge and men’s & women’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

ABOUT NBC SPORTS GOLD

-2019 RUGBY WORLD CUP-

NBC SPORTS GOLD “RUGBY WORLD CUP PASS” KNOCK-OUT ROUND RATE SET AT $99.99 AS WORLD’S TOP TEAMS ENTER QUARTER-FINALS THIS WEEKEND

October 15, 2019 By admin Leave a Comment

“Rugby World Cup Pass” Available NOW for $99.99; To Live Stream All Knock-Out Round Matches, Including Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals, Bronze Final and World Cup Final

Individual World Cup Knock-Out Round Matches Available for Purchase Through “Rugby World Cup Single Match Pass”

Leigh Diffey Joins NBC Sports’ Rugby Commentator Team Throughout
Knock-Out Rounds

Live Coverage of Quarter-Final Matches New Zealand v. Ireland and Wales v. France Available Exclusively on NBC Sports Gold

New Episode of The Scrumdown Podcast Previews Quarter-Final Action with Alex Corbisiero, Brian Hightower and Dan Lyle

STAMFORD, Conn. – Oct. 15, 2019 – All knock-out round matches of 2019 Rugby World Cup will be available live, commercial-free and on-demand on NBC Sports Gold through “Rugby World Cup Pass.” The pass, which is available now for $99.99, will live stream all remaining matches of the tournament, including the Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals, World Cup Bronze Final and the World Cup Final.

NBC Sports’ Leigh Diffey will host Rugby World Cup programming across NBC Sports properties throughout the knock-out rounds along with Sky Sports’ Rupert Cox, who will also handle the play-by-play call for select matches. NBC Sports’ rugby analysts Alex Corbisiero, who played internationally for England, and Brian Hightower, a former USA Rugby World Cup participant and USA Sevens captain, will serve as game analysts alongside Cox.

Additionally, Dan Lyle, a former USA Rugby captain and Premiership Rugby player, will join Diffey, Cox, Corbisiero, and Hightower in studio coverage, including pre-match shows.

The Quarter-Finals, which consist of the top-eight ranked teams in the world, begin this Saturday, October 19. Following is the Quarter-Finals schedule on NBC Sports Gold (listed time when coverage begins):

- Saturday, October 19 at 3:00 a.m. ET: England v. Australia*
- Saturday, October 19 at 6:00 a.m. ET: New Zealand v. Ireland#
- Sunday, October 20 at 3:00 a.m. ET: Wales v. France#
- Sunday, October 20 at 6:00 a.m. ET: Japan v. South Africa*

#Live coverage exclusive on NBC Sports Gold
*Also airing live on NBCSN

The 2019 Rugby World Cup began on Sept. 20 and culminates with the Rugby World Cup Final on Saturday, Nov. 2, from International Stadium Yokohama. The World Cup Final, along with both Semi-Final matches, will be available live on NBC Sports Gold and re-aired on NBC. NBCSN will also present live coverage of the 2019 Final.

A new episode of The Scrumdown podcast is available now, as Hightower and Lyle join Corbisiero to preview the upcoming Quarter-Final matches and recap Team USA’s World Cup performance.

Following are the NBC Sports Gold Rugby World Cup 2019 options available for purchase for the knockout rounds:

- “Rugby World Cup Pass”
  - Available for $99.99 for all remaining matches (equivalent to $12.49 per game)
  - Includes all 8 matches live, commercial-free and on-demand
    - Two exclusive Quarter-Final matches to be shown only on NBC Sports Gold
  - Features exclusive original programming, pre- and post-day shows, extended match highlights and more
    - Includes digital access to “Wake Up with the World Cup,” which recaps the day’s action with NBC Sports’ rugby commentator team
  - “Rugby World Cup Single Match Pass”
    - Available for $34.99 per match
  - “All-Access Premium Rugby Pass”
    - Available for $144.99
    - Includes all offerings from “Rugby Pass” and “Rugby World Cup Pass”
    - “Rugby Pass” consists of all matches from the Premiership Rugby League, Six Nations Championship, Heineken Champions Cup, knock-out phase matches of the European Rugby Cup Challenge and men’s & women’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

ABOUT NBC SPORTS GOLD

-2019 RUGBY WORLD CUP-

TEAM USA CONTINUES RUGBY WORLD CUP 2019 POOL PLAY TONIGHT v. ARGENTINA

October 8, 2019 By admin Leave a Comment

Match Airs Live at 12:30 A.M. ET Tonight on NBCSN and Live Streamed on NBC Sports Gold; Pre-Match Coverage Begins at 11:45 P.M. ET

All Team USA Games Televised Live on NBCSN and Live Streamed on NBC Sports Gold

England v. France Highlights This Week’s Exclusive Matches on NBC Sports Gold’s “Rugby World Cup Pass” as Winner Takes Pool C

New Episode of The Scrumdown Podcast Previews This Week’s Action with Alex Corbisiero, Brian Hightower and Dan Lyle; BBC Rugby Pundit Chris Jones Joins the Podcast from Japan to Discuss England’s Performance

STAMFORD, Conn. – Oct. 8, 2019 – Team USA faces Argentina in the Eagles’ third match of the 2019 Rugby World Cup tonight from Kumagaya Rugby Stadium in Kumagaya, Japan. Pre-match live coverage begins tonight at 11:45 p.m. ET on NBCSN and NBC Sports Gold. The match will re-air on NBCSN tomorrow (Oct. 9) at 1 p.m. ET.

Sky Sports’ Rupert Cox will handle the play-by-play call along with NBC Sports’ rugby analysts Alex Corbisiero, who played internationally for England, and Brian Hightower, a former USA Rugby World Cup participant and USA Sevens captain. Sky Sports’ James Cole will provide live reports on Team USA from on-site at Kumagaya Rugby Stadium.

Additionally, NBC Sports’ Ahmed Fareed will host studio coverage with Corbisiero and Dan Lyle, a former USA Rugby captain and Premiership Rugby player. Cox, Fareed, Corbisiero, Hightower and Lyle will all take part in the pre-match show, which begins at 11:45 p.m. ET.

Team USA seeks its first pool play win as the Eagles look to build off their performance against France last week. The Eagles compete in Pool C – the “Pool of Death” – against England, Argentina, France and Tonga. NBCSN will televise all U.S. matches live.

Following is Team USA’s remaining pool play schedule (listed time when coverage begins):

- Wednesday, October 9 at 11:45 p.m. ET v. Argentina
- Sunday, October 13 at 1:30 a.m. ET v. Tonga

On Saturday, October 12, England will face France in the group-deciding match, as the victor will win Pool C. The match will be presented live exclusively on NBC Sports Gold with coverage beginning at 4:00 a.m. ET.

The 2019 Rugby World Cup began on Sept. 20 and culminates with the Rugby World Cup Final on Saturday, Nov. 2, from International Stadium Yokohama. The World Cup Final, along with both semifinal matches, will be available live on NBC Sports Gold and re-aired on NBC. NBCSN will also present live coverage of the 2019 Final.

A new episode of The Scrumdown podcast is available now, as Hightower and Lyle join Corbisiero to break down what to expect from the remaining pool play matches and preview the USA match against Argentina. BBC Sports rugby pundit Chris Jones also joins the podcast from Japan to discuss England’s win over Argentina and what to expect from them moving forward.

Click here for quotes from NBC Sports’ Rugby World Cup commentating team previewing Team USA and the 2019 World Cup.

NBC Sports Gold provides rugby fans with unprecedented access to Rugby World Cup 2019 with multiple direct-to-consumer live streaming passes, which include commercial-free coverage, live and on-demand, on desktop, mobile, tablet and connected TV devices.

Highlighting live exclusive matches this week on NBC Sports Gold are:

- Wednesday, October 9 at 3:00 a.m. ET: Scotland v. Russia
- Friday, October 11 at 6:00 a.m. ET: Australia v. Georgia
- Saturday, October 12 at 4:00 a.m. ET: England v. France
- Sunday, October 13 at 11:00 p.m. ET (10/12): Namibia v. Canada
- Sunday, October 13 at 4:00 a.m. ET: Wales v. Uruguay

Following are the NBC Sports Gold Rugby World Cup 2019 options available for purchase:

“Rugby World Cup Pass”
- Available for $199.99 for the entire tournament ($4.15 per game)
- Includes all 48 matches live, commercial-free and on-demand
  - 22 exclusive matches to be shown only on NBC Sports Gold
- Features exclusive original programming, daily pre- and post-day shows, extended match highlights and more

“Rugby World Cup Single Match Pass”
- Available for $29.99 for one pool play match

“All-Access Premium Rugby Pass”
- Available for $229.99
- Includes all offerings from “Rugby Pass” and “Rugby World Cup Pass”
- “Rugby Pass” consists of all matches from the Premiership Rugby League, Six Nations Championship, Heineken Champions Cup and knockout phase matches of the European Rugby Cup Challenge

ABOUT NBC SPORTS GOLD

-2019 RUGBY WORLD CUP-

TEAM USA CONTINUES RUGBY WORLD CUP 2019 POOL PLAY TOMORROW v. FRANCE; COVERAGE BEGINS LIVE AT 3 A.M. ET ON NBCSN

October 1, 2019 By admin Leave a Comment

Match Airs Live Tomorrow at 3:30 A.M. ET on NBCSN and Live Streamed on NBC Sports Gold; Pre-Match Coverage Begins at 3 A.M. ET

All Team USA Games Televised Live on NBCSN and Live Streamed on NBC Sports Gold

BBC Sports Rugby Pundit Chris Jones Joins New Episode of The Scrumdown Podcast; Alex Corbisiero and Brian Hightower Preview France v. USA

Exclusive Matches on NBC Sports Gold’s “Rugby World Cup Pass” This Week Include New Zealand v. Canada & England v. Argentina

STAMFORD, Conn. – Oct. 1, 2019 – Team USA continues its 2019 Rugby World Cup pool play with their second match of the tournament tomorrow, October 1, when the Eagles face France from Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium in Fukuoka City, Japan. Pre-match coverage begins live at 3 a.m. ET on NBCSN and NBC Sports Gold. The match starts live at 3:30 a.m. ET.

Additionally, NBC Sports’ Ahmed Fareed will host studio coverage with Corbisiero, Hightower and Dan Lyle, a former USA Rugby captain and Premiership Rugby player. Cox, Fareed, Corbisiero, Hightower and Lyle will all take part in the pre-match show, which begins at 3 a.m. ET.

Team USA looks to rebound from its tournament-opening loss to England last week as the Eagles compete in Pool C – the “Pool of Death” – against England, Argentina, France and Tonga. NBCSN will televise all U.S. matches live.

Following is Team USA’s remaining pool play schedule (listed time when coverage begins):

- Wednesday, October 2 at 3:00 a.m. ET v. France
- Wednesday, October 9 at 11:45 p.m. ET v. Argentina
- Sunday, October 13 at 1:30 a.m. ET v. Tonga

The 2019 Rugby World Cup began on September 20 and culminates with the Rugby World Cup Final on Saturday, Nov. 2, from International Stadium Yokohama. The World Cup Final, along with both semifinal matches, will be available live on NBC Sports Gold and re-aired on NBC. NBCSN will also present live coverage of the 2019 Final.

The third episode of The Scrumdown podcast is available now, as Hightower joins Corbisiero to breakdown Team USA’s performance against England and preview tomorrow’s match v. France. BBC Sports rugby pundit Chris Jones also joins the podcast to discuss the refereeing in the World Cup and preview the upcoming England v. Argentina match.

Click here for quotes from NBC Sports’ Rugby World Cup commentating team previewing Team USA and the 2019 World Cup.

Highlighting live exclusive matches this week on NBC Sports Gold are:

- Wednesday, October 2 at 6:00 a.m. ET: New Zealand v. Canada
- Thursday, October 3 at 1:00 a.m. ET: Georgia v. Fiji
- Saturday, October 5 at 3:45 a.m. ET: England v. Argentina
- Saturday, October 5 at 6:15 a.m. ET: Japan v. Samoa

Following are the NBC Sports Gold Rugby World Cup 2019 options available for purchase:

- “Rugby World Cup Pass”
  - Available for $199.99 for the entire tournament ($4.15 per game)
  - Includes all 48 matches live, commercial-free and on-demand
    - 22 exclusive matches to be shown only on NBC Sports Gold
  - Features exclusive original programming, daily pre- and post-day shows, extended match highlights and more
- “Rugby World Cup Single Match Pass”
  - Available for $29.99 for one pool play match
- “All-Access Premium Rugby Pass”
  - Available for $229.99
  - Includes all offerings from “Rugby Pass” and “Rugby World Cup Pass”
  - “Rugby Pass” consists of all matches from the Premiership Rugby League, Six Nations Championship, Heineken Champions Cup and knockout phase matches of the European Rugby Cup Challenge

ABOUT NBC SPORTS GOLD

-2019 RUGBY WORLD CUP-

TEAM USA OPENS RUGBY WORLD CUP 2019 PLAY TOMORROW v. ENGLAND; COVERAGE BEGINS LIVE AT 5:45 A.M. ET ON NBCSN

September 25, 2019 By admin Leave a Comment

Match Airs Live Tomorrow at 6:30 A.M. ET on NBCSN and Live Streamed on NBC Sports Gold; Pre-Match Coverage Begins at 5:45 A.M. ET

“The beginning of the professional era for USA Rugby, at least at the World Cup level, starts now.” – Dan Lyle

“I fully believe that USA rugby are going to give us moments to be very proud of.” – Alex Corbisiero

Team USA To Play England, France, Argentina and Tonga in ‘Pool of Death’

All Team USA Games Televised Live on NBCSN and Livestreamed on NBC Sports Gold

New Episode of The Scrumdown Podcast Previews England v. USA and Recaps Tournament’s Opening Games

Four Exclusive Matches on NBC Sports Gold’s “Rugby World Cup Pass” This Weekend, Including Japan v. Ireland and Australia v. Wales

STAMFORD, Conn. – Sept. 25, 2019 – Team USA opens its 2019 Rugby World Cup schedule tomorrow, September 26, when the Eagles face England from Kobe Misaki Stadium in Kobe, Japan. Pre-match coverage begins live at 5:45 a.m. ET on NBCSN and NBC Sports Gold. The match starts live at 6:30 a.m. ET.

Sky Sports’ Rupert Cox will handle the play-by-play call along with NBC Sports’ rugby analysts Alex Corbisiero, who played internationally for England, and Brian Hightower, a former USA Rugby World Cup participant and USA Sevens captain. Sky Sports’ Gail Davis will provide live reports on Team USA from on-site in Japan.

Additionally, NBC Sports’ Ahmed Fareed will host studio coverage with Corbisiero, Hightower and Dan Lyle, a former USA Rugby captain and Premiership Rugby player. Throughout the coverage of England v. USA, NBC Sports will show live look-ins of fans at a New York City bar and a London pub. The viewing parties will take place at New York’s Pig ‘N’ Whistle on 36^th and the Cabbage Patch pub in Twickenham.

Team USA will compete in Pool C – the “Pool of Death” – against England, Argentina, France and Tonga. NBCSN will televise all U.S. matches live.

Following is Team USA’s pool play schedule:

- Thursday, September 26 at 5:45 a.m. ET v. England
- Wednesday, October 2 at 3:00 a.m. ET v. France
- Wednesday, October 9 at 11:45 p.m. ET v. Argentina
- Sunday, October 13 at 1:30 a.m. ET v. Tonga

The 2019 Rugby World Cup began last week when host-nation Japan defeated Russia 30-10 and continues over the next five weeks, culminating with the Rugby World Cup Final on Saturday, Nov. 2, from International Stadium Yokohama. The World Cup Final, along with both semifinal matches, will be available live on NBC Sports Gold and re-aired on NBC. NBCSN will also present live coverage of the 2019 Final.

The second episode of The Scrumdown podcast is available now, as Lyle, Hightower and Cox join Corbisiero to discuss the tournament’s opening games and preview the England v. USA match.

Corbisiero, Hightower, Lyle and Cox weighed in on Team USA’s World Cup outlook heading into their opening match. Click here to see more quotes from NBC Sports’ Rugby World Cup commentating team previewing the 2019 World Cup.

On Team USA’s expectations in Pool C:

Corbisiero: “I think Team USA are the best American outfit and most prepared team that has ever stepped into the World Cup. But this is also the most talented, toughest World Cup to date. I think they’re in a really tough pool – the ‘Pool of Death’ it’s been nicknamed – and it’s going to be very tough for them. I do think that they’re going to do their country proud and I see them winning one game at least.”

Hightower: “I think on a microscopic level, the coaches have this team better prepared than in the past and a lot of that has to do with the amount of time that they spent together. We’re talking about eight weeks in the development of this team preparing for a World Cup.”

Lyle: “I think now is when you start benchmarking this team. Certainly, they’ve got a tremendous pool to benchmark themselves against, so it’ll be very difficult coming out of it, but this is where we should see progress moving forward.”

Cox: “The exciting thing about second-tier teams is every game’s a final. Let’s face it, USA is not going to win the World Cup. But every time they take the field it’s the biggest game of their time.”

On the impact this World Cup can have on USA Rugby:

Lyle: “The beginning of the professional era for USA Rugby, at least at the World Cup level, starts now. You’ve never had a fully professional team. From 1995, when the game went professional, almost until a quarter of a century on, this is the first time the team has been fully professional.”

Corbisiero: “I fully believe that USA rugby are going to give us moments to be very proud of. We are going to be able to highlight and show what is going on which can inspire younger kids watching who might be new to the game or might have only seen it on TV.”

Cox: “This is the next opportunity to spread the gospel of this amazing, properly global sport in this country. And to be here trying to promote the sport, tell the stories that we were talking about that could unfold over the next weeks, it’s a real privilege to do it.”

Highlighting live exclusive matches upcoming on NBC Sports Gold are:

- Saturday, September 28 at 3:00 a.m. ET: Japan v. Ireland
- Sunday, September 29 at 3:30 a.m. ET: Australia v. Wales
- Wednesday, October 2 at 6:00 a.m. ET: New Zealand v. Canada

Following are the NBC Sports Gold Rugby World Cup 2019 options available for purchase:

- “Rugby World Cup Pass”
  - Available for $199.99 for the entire tournament ($4.15 per game)
  - Includes all 48 matches live, commercial-free and on-demand
    - 22 exclusive matches to be shown only on NBC Sports Gold
  - Features exclusive original programming, daily pre- and post-day shows, extended match highlights and more
- “Rugby World Cup Single Match Pass”
  - Available for $29.99 for one pool play match
- “All-Access Premium Rugby Pass”
  - Available for $229.99
  - Includes all offerings from “Rugby Pass” and “Rugby World Cup Pass”
  - “Rugby Pass” consists of all matches from the Premiership Rugby League, Six Nations Championship, Heineken Champions Cup and knockout phase matches of the European Rugby Cup Challenge

ABOUT NBC SPORTS GOLD

-2019 RUGBY WORLD CUP-

RUGBY WORLD CUP 2019 BEGINS TOMORROW WITH RUSSIA V. HOST-NATION JAPAN AT 6:30 AM ET ON NBCSN

September 19, 2019 By admin Leave a Comment

NBC Sports to Present Unprecedented 250+ Hours of Rugby World Cup 2019 Matches & Programming

26 Matches Televised Live on NBCSN, Including All Team USA Matches and Rugby World Cup 2019 Final

NBC Sports Gold’s Direct-to-Consumer “Rugby World Cup Pass” to Live Stream All 48 Tournament Games – 22 Exclusively – Available Now for $199

The Story of Rugby Documentary Premieres Across NBC Sports on Sunday, September 22

STAMFORD, Conn. – Sept. 19, 2019 – The 2019 Rugby World Cup begins tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 20, when host-nation Japan faces Russia from Tokyo Stadium at 6:30 a.m. ET on NBCSN and NBC Sports Gold in the first Rugby World Cup ever to be hosted in Asia. Coverage begins at 6:00 a.m. ET on NBCSN.

Signifying the start of the tournament, NBC Sports Gold will present exclusive live coverage of the World Cup Opening Ceremony at 5:30 a.m. ET on Friday, ahead of the opening match.

NBC Sports’ Ahmed Fareed will host coverage of the opening match on NBCSN with studio analysts Alex Corbisiero, who played internationally for England, Brian Hightower, a former USA Rugby World Cup participant and USA Sevens captain, and Dan Lyle, former USA Rugby captain and Premiership Rugby player. Commentating the game from Japan will be Alastair Eykyn and co-commentator Martyn Williams, along with reporter Karl Tenana. Sky Sports’ Miles Harrison will also join the broadcast pre-match from Tokyo Stadium.

Click here to see quotes from Fareed, Corbisiero, Hightower, Lyle and Sky Sports’ Rupert Cox previewing the 2019 World Cup. Corbisiero’s The Scrumdown podcast relaunched today, with a new episode dropping weekly discussing all things rugby. In the first episode, Corbisiero previews the Rugby World Cup.

NBCSN will televise three matches throughout the tournament’s opening weekend:

- Friday, September 20 at 6:30 a.m. ET: Japan v. Russia
- Saturday, September 21 at 12:30 a.m. ET: Australia v. Fiji
- Sunday, September 22 at 6:00 a.m. ET: England v. Tonga

In addition, NBC Sports Gold, which will livestream all 48 tournament matches – including 22 matches exclusively to the subscribers of the direct-to-consumer package – from Japan commercial-free and on-demand, will present four matches live exclusively this weekend:

- Saturday, September 21 at 3:00 a.m. ET: France v. Argentina
- Saturday, September 21 at 5:30 a.m. ET: New Zealand v. South Africa
- Sunday, September 22 at 1:00 a.m. ET: Italy v. Namibia
- Sunday, September 22 at 3:30 a.m. ET: Ireland v. Scotland

The Story of Rugby, a stunning six-part documentary exploring the cultural history and impact of rugby around the world – from its origins through to the present day – premieres across NBC Sports platforms beginning this weekend. The series, consisting of six one-hour episodes, premieres on NBCSN this Sunday, Sept. 22, with the first two episodes beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET. Episodes three, four and five will air consecutively on Monday, Sept. 23, starting at noon ET. The sixth episode will premiere on Monday, Sept. 24, at midnight ET. All six episodes will be available commercial-free through the NBC Sports Gold Rugby World Cup Pass.

Over the course of the six-week tournament, NBC Sports will present more than 250 hours of Rugby World Cup 2019 matches, original programming and additional Rugby World Cup content, comprising the most comprehensive U.S. coverage of the Rugby World Cup ever.

Twenty-six of the tournament’s 48 matches will be shown live on NBCSN, and streamed via authentication on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app. Some games will also be shown on delay on NBC.

The pool play round consists of 40 matches – divided amongst four pools consisting of five nations each – that run through Sunday, Oct. 13.

The quarterfinals will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19, and Sunday, Oct. 20, while the semifinals will be played on the following weekend of Saturday, Oct. 26, and Sunday, Oct. 27.

The Rugby World Cup Final will be held on Saturday, Nov. 2, from International Stadium Yokohama. Both semifinal matches and the World Cup Final will be available live on NBC Sports Gold and re-aired on NBC. NBCSN will also present live coverage of the 2019 Final.

Following are the NBC Sports Gold Rugby World Cup 2019 options available for purchase:

- “Rugby World Cup Pass”
  - Available for $199.99 for the entire tournament ($4.15 per game)
  - Includes all 48 matches live, commercial-free and on-demand
    - 22 exclusive matches to be shown only on NBC Sports Gold
  - Features exclusive original programming, daily pre- and post-day shows, extended match highlights and more
- “Rugby World Cup Single Match Pass”
  - Available for $29.99 for one pool play match
- “All-Access Premium Rugby Pass”
  - Available for $229.99
  - Includes all offerings from “Rugby Pass” and “Rugby World Cup Pass”
  - “Rugby Pass” consists of all matches from the Premiership Rugby League, Six Nations Championship, Heineken Champions Cup and knockout phase matches of the European Rugby Cup Challenge

Rugby World Cup 2019 offerings are available to U.S. commercial establishments through the NBC Sports Pub Pass – a new customizable direct-to-consumer platform developed specifically for the retail pub/restaurant market in the U.S. Through the Rugby World Cup Pub Pass, all 48 tournament matches will be available live, commercial-free and on-demand.

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TWO DAYS OUT: NBC SPORTS’ RUGBY COMMENTATING TEAM PREVIEWS 2019 WORLD CUP

September 18, 2019 By admin Leave a Comment

Analysts Alex Corbisiero, Brian Hightower and Dan Lyle & Hosts Rupert Cox and Ahmed Fareed Share Thoughts Ahead of Friday’s Opening Match

“There are very few occasions in sports and in general that will rival the Rugby World Cup.” – Corbisiero

“This is the next opportunity to spread the gospel of this amazing, properly global sport in this country.” – Cox

“It’s really interesting to see the dynamics that are going to unfold in these pools because of how competitive it’s going to be.” – Lyle

“Whatever drama unfolds, there’s always some sort of seminal moment in the World Cup.” – Hightower

Corbisiero’s The Scrumdown Podcast Relaunches Around the World Cup; First Episode Previews 2019 Rugby World Cup

STAMFORD, Conn. – September 18, 2019 – With the 2019 Rugby World Cup two days away, NBC Sports rugby analysts Alex Corbisiero, who played internationally for England, Brian Hightower, a former USA Rugby World Cup participant and USA Sevens captain, and Dan Lyle, former USA Rugby captain and Premiership Rugby player, along with host Ahmed Fareed and Sky Sports’ Rupert Cox, preview the tournament.

On what to look forward to at the 2019 World Cup in Japan:

Lyle: “I call this the five-five-and-five. You’ve got five teams who can absolutely win it. You’ve got five teams who have beaten those five, and then you’ve got five more below that that have beaten those five. So, it’s really interesting to see the dynamics that are going to unfold in these pools because of how competitive it’s going to be.”

Corbisiero: “The fact that it’s hosted outside of a top-tier nation in Japan, it’s almost neutral ground. Every time we usually have a World Cup, it’s a top nation that hosts it and is playing in front of a home base crowd. This time, none of the top teams are in that position. They’re all playing on neutral ground. I think it just adds an extra layer of spice that we haven’t seen before in a World Cup, and it makes it very exciting.”

Hightower: “Whatever drama unfolds, there’s always some sort of seminal moment in the World Cup…I think those are the moments that make a World Cup unique…There’s going to be some sort of drama that unfolds that changes whatever the popularly accepted narrative is about the winner or who’s going to be in the semifinals or who’s even going to be in the quarterfinals.”

Cox: “The exciting thing about second-tier teams is every game’s a final…Every time they take the field, it’s the biggest game of their time.”

On what it means to play in a World Cup:

Corbisiero: “It’s incredible. It’s such a moment on the biggest stage, the ceremonies, the grandeur that goes with it, the environment…There are very few occasions in sports and in general that will rival the Rugby World Cup.”

Corbisiero: “I think for the players, obviously you want to win it, but you want to create those memories that you look back on, and I think on this stage, it’s very easy to create special moments that you can look back on forever. I know I did.”

Hightower: “You have the pride and the accomplishment to be able to represent your country just once, and then you throw in the weight and the magnitude of this tournament, and it’s totally different. It’s stratospherically different.”

Fareed: “Whenever you tie country and pride to sports, it produces these intense, patriotic atmospheres. You have players that are playing not only for themselves, but for their teammates and their country. I think that always give you this special environment that is really very difficult to replicate on a year-to-year basis in sports.”

On growing the sport of rugby through the World Cup:

Lyle: “That ability to unlock the American market, to inspire people that have never seen the game with the coverage that we have – these 26 linear games and all of the coverage that we have – we definitely have the opportunity.”

Hightower: “You take a novice and you let him watch the sport, it is instantly compelling, it is interesting, and there are very few people that will turn the channel because it’s got that much wow-factor. It’s the game that we love and for us, it’s awesome to see people growing into their own unique relationship with the sport.”

Corbisiero’s The Scrumdown podcast will relaunch around the World Cup, with a new episode dropping weekly discussing all things rugby. In the first episode, Corbisiero previews the Rugby World Cup.

Over the course of the six-week tournament, NBC Sports will present more than 250 hours of Rugby World Cup 2019 matches, original programming and additional Rugby World Cup content.

All 48 Rugby World Cup 2019 matches will be available live, commercial-free and on-demand on NBC Sports Gold through the “Rugby World Cup Pass” and “Rugby World Cup Single Match Pass” when the tournament begins in two days on Friday, September 20. Twenty-two matches will be presented live exclusively to the subscribers of the direct-to-consumer package.

In addition to NBC Sports Gold, twenty-six of the 48 matches will be shown live on NBCSN, and streamed via authentication on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app. Some games will also be shown on delay on NBC. For more information, click here.

NBC Sports Gold provides rugby fans with unprecedented access to Rugby World Cup 2019 with multiple direct-to-consumer live streaming passes, which include commercial-free coverage, live and on-demand, on desktop, mobile, tablet and connected TV devices.

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THREE DAYS OUT: NBC SPORTS GOLD RUGBY PASSES TO PRESENT ALL 48 RUGBY WORLD CUP MATCHES

September 17, 2019 By admin Leave a Comment

“Rugby World Cup Pass” to Live Stream All 48 Tournament Games – 22 Exclusively Live – and Original Programming for 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan; Available Now for $199

Individual World Cup Pool Play Matches Available for Purchase Through “Rugby World Cup Single Match Pass”

Russia v. Host Nation Japan Begins Tournament in Three Days on Friday, Sept. 20, at 6:45 a.m. ET

STAMFORD, Conn. – September 17, 2019 – All 48 Rugby World Cup 2019 matches will be available live, commercial-free and on-demand on NBC Sports Gold through the “Rugby World Cup Pass” and “Rugby World Cup Single Match Pass” when the tournament begins in three days on Friday, September 20. Twenty-two matches will be presented live exclusively to the subscribers of the direct-to-consumer package.

Signifying the start of the tournament, NBC Sports Gold will present exclusive live coverage of the World Cup Opening Ceremonies at 5:30 a.m. ET on Friday, ahead of the opening match between Russia and host-nation Japan at 6:45 a.m. ET on NBCSN and Gold.

In pool play, two games each from the following nations will be available live exclusively on Gold: Wales (ranked No. 1 in the world), New Zealand (No. 2), Ireland (No. 3) South Africa (No. 4) and England (No. 5). In the knockout round, two quarterfinal matches will also be presented live exclusively on Gold.

Highlights of live exclusive Gold matches in pool play include:

- Saturday, September 21 at 3:15 a.m. ET: France v. Argentina
- Saturday, September 21 at 5:45 a.m. ET: New Zealand v. South Africa
- Sunday, September 22 at 3:45 a.m. ET: Ireland v. Scotland
- Saturday, September 28 at 3:15 a.m. ET: Japan v. Ireland
- Sunday, September 29 at 3:45 a.m. ET: Australia v. Wales
- Saturday, October 5 at 4 a.m. ET: England v. Argentina
- Saturday, October 12 at 4:15 a.m. ET: England v. France

The Ireland v. Scotland match (Pool A), New Zealand v. South Africa match (Pool B), England v. France match (Pool C), and Australia v. Wales match (Pool D), which will all be presented live exclusively on Gold, have the potential to be pool-deciding contests in each of the four groups.

Following are the NBC Sports Gold Rugby World Cup 2019 options available for purchase:

- “Rugby World Cup Pass”
  - Available for $199.99 for the entire tournament ($4.15 per game)
  - Includes all 48 matches live, commercial-free and on-demand
    - 22 exclusive live matches to be shown only on NBC Sports Gold
  - Features exclusive original programming, daily pre- and post-day shows, extended match highlights and more
- “Rugby World Cup Single Match Pass”
  - Available for $29.99 for one pool play match
- “All-Access Premium Rugby Pass”
  - Available for $229.99
  - Includes all offerings from “Rugby Pass” and “Rugby World Cup Pass”

ABOUT NBC SPORTS GOLD

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FOUR DAYS OUT: RUGBY WORLD CUP BEGINS FRIDAY ACROSS NBC SPORTS

September 16, 2019 By admin Leave a Comment

Russia v. Host Nation Japan Begins Tournament on Friday, Sept. 20, at 6 a.m. ET on NBCSN

NBC Sports to Present Unprecedented 250+ Hours of Rugby World Cup 2019 Matches & Programming

26 Matches Televised Live on NBCSN, Including All Team USA Matches and Rugby World Cup 2019 Final

USA v. England on Sept. 26 at 6 a.m. ET Live on NBCSN

NBC Sports Gold’s Direct-to-Consumer “Rugby World Cup Pass” to Live Stream All 48 Tournament Games – 22 Exclusively – Available Now for $199

STAMFORD, Conn. – Sept. 16, 2019 – The 2019 Rugby World Cup begins in four days, on Friday, Sept. 20, with Russia v. host-nation Japan at 6 a.m. ET on NBCSN. Over the course of the six-week tournament, NBC Sports will present more than 250 hours of Rugby World Cup 2019 matches, original programming and additional Rugby World Cup content, comprising the most comprehensive U.S. coverage of the Rugby World Cup ever.

All 48 tournament matches from Japan will be available live, commercial-free and on-demand on NBC Sports Gold, including 22 matches exclusive to the subscribers of the direct-to-consumer package. Twenty-six of the 48 matches will be shown live on NBCSN, and streamed via authentication on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app. Some games will also be shown on delay on NBC.

NBC Sports’ Leigh Diffey will host Rugby World Cup programming across NBC Sports properties throughout the knockout round, while NBC Sports’ Ahmed Fareed will host during pool play and Sky Sports’ Rupert Cox will host programming throughout the entire tournament. NBC Sports rugby analysts Alex Corbisiero, who played internationally for England, Brian Hightower, a former USA Rugby World Cup participant and USA Sevens captain, and Dan Lyle, former USA Rugby captain and Premiership Rugby player, will serve as studio analysts.

For select matches, including all Team USA games, Cox will provide play-by-play as Corbisiero and Hightower serve as game analysts. They will also call all of the knockout round matches. Sky Sports’ Gail Davis and James Cole will report on-site from Japan, providing updates on the USA and England teams.

Team USA will compete in Pool C against Argentina, England, France and Tonga. NBCSN will televise all U.S. matches live. Following is Team USA’s pool play schedule:

- Thursday, September 26 at 6:45 a.m. ET v. England
- Wednesday, October 2 at 3:35 a.m. ET v. France
- Wednesday, October 9 at 12:45 a.m. ET v. Argentina
- Sunday, October 13 at 1:45 a.m. ET v. Tonga

The pool play round consists of 40 matches – divided amongst four pools consisting of five nations each – that run through Sunday, Oct. 13.

The quarterfinals will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19, and Sunday, Oct. 20, while the semifinals will be played on the following weekend of Saturday, Oct. 26, and Sunday, Oct. 27.

In pool play, two games each from the following nations will be available exclusively on Gold: Wales (ranked No. 1 in the world), New Zealand (No. 2), Ireland (No. 3) South Africa (No. 4) and England (No. 5). In the knockout round, two quarterfinal matches will also be presented exclusively on Gold.

Highlights of exclusive Gold matches in pool play include:

- Saturday, September 21 at 3:15 a.m. ET: France v. Argentina
- Saturday, September 21 at 5:45 a.m. ET: New Zealand v. South Africa
- Sunday, September 22 at 3:45 a.m. ET: Ireland v. Scotland
- Saturday, September 28 at 3:15 a.m. ET: Japan v. Ireland
- Sunday, September 29 at 3:45 a.m. ET: Australia v. Wales
- Saturday, October 5 at 4 a.m. ET: England v. Argentina
- Saturday, October 12 at 4:15 a.m. ET: England v. France

Following are the NBC Sports Gold Rugby World Cup 2019 options available for purchase:

- “Rugby World Cup Pass”
  - Available for $199.99 for the entire tournament ($4.15 per game)
  - Includes all 48 matches live, commercial-free and on-demand
    - 22 exclusive matches to be shown only on NBC Sports Gold
  - Features exclusive original programming, daily pre- and post-day shows, extended match highlights and more

- “Rugby World Cup Single Match Pass”
  - Available for $29.99 for one pool play match

- “All-Access Premium Rugby Pass”
  - Available for $229.99
  - Includes all offerings from “Rugby Pass” and “Rugby World Cup Pass”
  - “Rugby Pass” consists of all matches from the Premiership Rugby League, Six Nations Championship, Heineken Champions Cup and knockout phase matches of the European Rugby Cup Challenge

Rugby World Cup 2019 offerings are now available to U.S. commercial establishments through the NBC Sports Pub Pass – a new customizable direct-to-consumer platform developed specifically for the retail pub/restaurant market in the U.S. Through the Rugby World Cup Pub Pass, all 48 tournament matches will be available live, commercial-free and on-demand.

ABOUT NBC SPORTS GOLD

NBC Sports Gold is NBC Sports’ direct-to-consumer live streaming product that provides sports fans with access to exclusive premium sports events and content, live and on-demand, at an affordable price. Launched in 2016 with a single cycling product, NBC Sports Gold currently offers 17 individual sports “passes” – eleven domestic (PGA TOUR LIVE, Premier League, Premier League Match Day, INDYCAR, Cycling, Track & Field, Premier Lacrosse League, Speed Skating, Rugby, Supercross, and Snow, consisting of seven Olympic winter sports); two regional (Blazers and Philly); one combination (Supercross and Pro Motocross), two domestic and international (Figure Skating and Pro Motocross); and one international-only (Notre Dame Football). Find NBC Sports Gold in the NBC Sports app. Available on Apple iOS & tvOS, Android, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Chromecast and NBCSportsGold.com.

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