Universal Sports and NBC to show Rugby World Cup

Rugby World Cup matches for the 2011 and 2015 tournaments will be televised by Universal Sports and NBC, ailment the International Rugby Board (IRB) has announced.

Matches for the 2011 tournament in New Zealand and 2015 tournament in England will now be shown by US network television for the first time, order as the popularity of rugby has grown worldwide over the last few years.

NBC will broadcast the final of both tournaments, pills while Universal Sports will show all 48 matches from the events.

Universal Sports Chief Executive David Sternberg said: “This is a very significant rights acquisition for Universal Sports, especially given the growing popularity of rugby around the World and in America.

“We are delighted to be partnering with the IRB for the Rugby World Cup and other top events, and we look forward to showcasing global rugby, at its highest level, for our audiences across all of our platforms – television, online and mobile.”