Rugby League World Cup 2017 on the BBC

• BBC to bring multi-platform live coverage of Rugby League World Cup 2017
• Live TV coverage of all of England’s Group games, a quarter final, a semi-final showdown and the Rugby League World Cup final
• Radio 5 live and 5 live sports extra to have comprehensive coverage of all games with live commentaries from every stage of the event
• BBC Sport’s extensive digital offering brings the latest action to audiences wherever and whenever

All eyes will be on the Southern Hemisphere this winter as the BBC delivers the live action from Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea kicking off with the much anticipated opener: Australia v England on October 27, live from 9am on BBC Two.

Barbara Slater, Director BBC Sport says: “Following an action-packed Rugby League World Cup in 2013, we’re thrilled to be able to showcase the magic of the tournament on TV, radio and online once more.

"Having also secured the rights to the 2021 World Cup, when it will return to home soil, the BBC continues to demonstrate its dedication to this fantastic sport."

NM

TV

Mark Chapman leads the BBC TV coverage alongside a host of well-loved and respected experts of the game including Jon Wilkin, Robbie Hunter-Paul, former England Captain Kevin Sinfield, former Wales Coach Iestyn Harris, Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Andrew Henderson.

Coverage kicks off with the much-anticipated opener: Australia v England (9am, BBC Two, Friday 27 October).

The BBC’s rugby league correspondent Dave Woods will be on commentary duties across the tournament alongside former Great Britain coach Brian Noble.

The team will bring live coverage of all of England’s Group games, as well as a quarter final match, a semi-final showdown and the Rugby League World Cup final at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday 2 December. Tanya Arnold will also present a regular highlights programme throughout the event, incorporating all the action from games not shown live.

The first highlights programme of the series will begin on BBC Two, 11.50pm, Friday 27 October with extensive highlights of Wales’s opening match against Papua New Guinea on BBC One, Saturday October 28 from 1pm.

Throughout the tournament, there will be Red Button Forums which will include extra analysis and interviews, the first of which will follow England’s opener against Australia from noon, Friday 27 October.

Radio

BBC Radio 5 live and 5 live sports extra will bring comprehensive coverage of the 2017 event with live commentaries from each stage of the tournament.

George Riley leads on the commentaries with former Welsh international Iestyn Harris providing the analysis. The opening weekend sees live commentaries begin at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium for Australia v England (10.05am, 5 live sports extra, Friday 27 October) followed by Papua New Guinea v Wales (6am, 5 live sports extra, Saturday 28 October).

Rugby League correspondent Dave Woods will also provide regular news bulletins across 5 live as well as providing his ever popular Rugby League podcast which will discuss all World Cup issues and stories.

Digital

BBC Sport will deliver a comprehensive digital coverage of this year’s World Cup across all its platforms and social media accounts.

All matches shown live on the BBC will be available on the website, BBC Sport app and Connected TV.

There will also be highlights of every game involving England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales on all digital platforms plus a weekly video catch-up to keep you on top of the action.

Fans can also keep up to date with selected live text commentaries, previews, reports, and analysis throughout the tournament, with regular contributions from Dave Woods and Brian Noble.

And for the first time, supporters can follow the fortunes of their favourite teams with our brand new mobile score notifications, which are available for all teams at the World Cup.