Rugby World Cup 2015: Full Schedule, TV Info, Live Stream for Upcoming Matches
The 2015 Rugby World Cup returns to action on Tuesday, as Namibia will chase their first ever win in the event when they face Tonga at Sandy Park. The match will be broadcast by ITV4, while live streams will be available via the ITVPlayer (for UK viewers) and Universal Sports (for U.S. viewers).
Fans will already be looking forward to Saturday's action, in what promises to be an incredible day of rugby. Hosts England will play Australia at Twickenham, while Pool B leaders Scotland will come face-to-face with South Africa.
Here's a look at the upcoming schedule, complete with TV info:
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| 29 Sept. | 4:45 p.m. | Tonga | Namibia | Sandy Park, Exeter | ITV 4 |
| 1 Oct. | 4:45 p.m. | Wales | Fiji | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff | ITV |
| 1 Oct. | 8 p.m. | France | Canada | Stadium MK, Milton Keynes | ITV4 |
| 2 Oct. | 8 p.m. | New Zealand | Georgia | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff | ITV |
| 3 Oct. | 2:30 p.m. | Samoa | Japan | Stadium MK, Milton Keynes | ITV |
| 3 Oct. | 4:45 p.m. | South Africa | Scotland | St James' Park, Newcastle | ITV |
| 3 Oct. | 8 p.m. | England | Australia | Twickenham, London | ITV |
| 4 Oct. | 2:30 p.m. | Argentina | Tonga | Leicester City Stadium, Leicester | ITV |
| 4 Oct. | 4:45 p.m. | Ireland | Italy | Olympic Stadium, London | ITV |
Preview
Tonga and Namibia both lost their first World Cup matches, with the Pacific Islanders suffering an upset at the hands of Georgia and the African side standings no chance against defending champions New Zealand.
Despite the one-sided 58-14 score in favour of the All Blacks, the Welwitschias looked quite solid in the loss, and they believe they have a good chance of finally winning their first World Cup match on Tuesday.
As reported by Reuters' Ed Osmond (h/t Yahoo), captain Jacques Burger is targeting a win in one of their upcoming matches―against Tonga and Georgia:
"Our aim is still to win one game. Realistically, that has to come in one of our next two matches. Those are the games we have targeted, but you've seen how hard it is to win a game at the World Cup -- and Georgia beating Tonga has not made it easier.
We are going to take all positives away from the New Zealand game, but the next match we have to play to win and also the one after that.
From now on we just have to push and push until we get that victory. We are positive, that's why we are at this World Cup.
"
Tonga will be without their captain Nili Latu, who will miss the match with a hamstring injury, per Osmond. Coach Mana Otai will make a total of nine changes to the team that lost against Georgia.
In that match, Georgia used their size advantage and powerful scrum to make the difference:
Tonga's forwards have plenty of size, and once again, Tonga will be at a disadvantage when it comes to the scrum. Namibia will still be underdogs going into the match, but another upset could be on our hands.
Looking ahead at Saturday's matches, two big clashes jump out. Scotland were phenomenal in their win over Japan but struggled against the USA, and they now face South Africa, who were shocked by Japan but bounced back with a solid win over Samoa.
The Springboks were among the favourites when the tournament started, while Vern Cotter's side is playing excellent rugby but has shown inconsistency in 2015. The Six Nations was a disaster, and no one really knows how they'll react when facing a top opponent like South Africa.
Steven Jones of the Sunday Times thinks it will be a big test for Cotter's troops:
In Pool A, hosts England need to beat Australia after the heartbreaking loss against Wales, and that won't be an easy task. The Wallabies didn't look mighty impressive against Fiji but bounced back with a wonderful performance against Uruguay, taking the lead in Pool A as a result.
As reported by Neil Squires of the Daily Express, the hosts have some major injury concerns heading into the match, with Courtney Lawes, Billy Vunipola, Ben Youngs and Jonathan Joseph all doubts for Saturday's clash.
A loss would all but end England's chances of progressing to the knockout stages on home soil, an embarrassing end to a World Cup that looked so promising. Stuart Lancaster's men showed plenty of heart in the face of adversity during the Six Nations, however, so expect England to put up a good fight on Saturday.
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