Rugby to watch this weekend

The coronavirus pandemic has left a big void in the rugby calendar, but live rugby is back in the shape of two Super Rugby competitions – Aotearoa and AU.

Find out how you can watch that and other highlights you can catch on TV and online this weekend (all timings are UK & Ireland)…

Super stars

There’s twice as much Super Rugby action this weekend as the Australian tournament kicks off and the New Zealand competition reaches its fourth round.

Super Rugby AU starts with Reds v Waratahs at 10.05am on Friday morning. The match will air live from 10am on Sky Sports Action and be repeated at 6pm.

On Saturday morning, it’s Brumbies v Rebels (kick-off 10.15am). This match is live on Sky Sports’ Main Event and Action channels from 10.10am, and will be repeated at 4pm on Action.

Close-up: Isi Naisarani of the Rebels takes on the Brumbies earlier this year (Getty Images)

The first Super Rugby Aotearoa match of the weekend is Highlanders v Crusaders at 8.05am on Saturday. Sky’s coverage on Main Event and Action starts at 7.30am, with the match repeated at noon on Action.

Then on Sunday at 4.35am, Chiefs take on Hurricanes with both teams looking for their first win of the competition. It’s live from 4am on Sky Sports Main Event and Action, with a repeat at 10am.

If you don’t have a subscription to Sky but want to watch the matches, you can get a NowTV pass for daily, monthly or mobile access – find out more here.

Welsh language channel S4C is also showing highlights every weekend, airing at 9pm on Sunday – and there is an English commentary option too. You’ll also be able to access the Clwb Rygbi programme via BBC iPlayer.

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Rugby World Cup classics

World Rugby has been regularly streaming World Cup matches on its YouTube channel and there’s now an impressive archive to trawl through if you want to relive some tournament classics.

Men’s matches available include New Zealand v Canada from RWC 1991, Scotland v Fiji in 2003 and England v New Zealand from last year.

Check out women’s matches from World Cups past too, like France v Canada and Ireland v New Zealand in 2014.

Listen up!

Rugby World magazine has launched a new podcast, One Game at a Time, and six episodes are live on iTunes, acast and Spotify. The latest episode features former Saracens and South Africa hooker Schalk Brits. Find out more here.

Welsh wonders

As well as it’s Super Rugby Aotearoa highlights show, S4C is also delving into its archives to show some memorable moments in Wales’ rugby history.

On Saturday at 6.15pm, there is a repeat at the Cardiff v Swansea Swalec Cup final in 1997 and on Monday at 9.30pm, there is a show on the Bermuda Classic.

Can’t get to the shops? You can download the digital edition of Rugby World straight to your tablet or subscribe to the print edition to get the magazine delivered to your door.

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