Where to watch Rugby World Cup warm-up games, Classic Lions and more

The first weekend of August will bring the curtain down on an intriguing British & Irish Lions Series, of which the third test headlines Sydney’s festival of rugby.

Amongst the week’s action in New South Wales is the Wallaroos and the Welsh facing off in their second test, while the pre-game warm-ups are likely to have already started ahead of the Classic Wallabies and the British & Irish Legends final fixture, with the two games available to watch live and for free on RugbyPass TV. They join a plethora of women’s action on the free service, with all eyes now firmly turned towards the start of the Women’s Rugby World Cup.

Women’s Rugby World Cup warm-up matches

Australia vs Wales, North Sydney Oval, Sydney, 10:00 BST, 1^st August – Watch live here

Canada vs USA, TD Place, Ottawa, 00:00 BST, 2^nd August – Watch live here

Ireland vs Scotland, Virgin Media Park, Cork, 14:00 BST, 2^nd August – Watch live here

England vs Spain, Mattioli Woods Welford Road, Leicester, 15:00 BST, 2^nd August – Watch live here

South Africa vs Black Ferns XV, Athlone Stadium, Cape Town, 16:00 BST, 2^nd August – Watch live here

There’s just 22 days to go till the Women’s Rugby World Cup, and with teams already starting to arrive in the United Kingdom.

Now, with final preparations put in place and squads confirmed, teams have their final chance to size themselves up prior to competition, with five warm-up matches available on RugbyPass TV this weekend (where no local broadcaster is present), helping to bring women’s rugby to the world ahead of what promises to be the biggest Women’s Rugby World Cup yet.

First up is Australia vs Wales on the 1^st of August, in what shapes to be a crucial final warm-up match for both sides.

In winning their first match under Head Coach Sean Lynn last week, the Wales Women’s side won their first match on Australian soil, pushing their hosts down to eighth on the world rankings and their lowest spot on record.

It sets up the final match of their two-match series nicely, with pride as much as preparation on the line at the North Sydney Oval. The match is available live and free on RugbyPass TV to viewers outside of the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.

Across the Pacific, Canada host the United States in what is both sides final clash before heading over the Atlantic.

For Canada, currently ranked world number two, this is a rare opportunity to play in front of their home fans, welcoming their neighbours across the border for a highly anticipated warm-up match.

Despite now being ranked tenth in the world, the USA were able to push Canada close 14-26 in front of a record-breaking crowd in the Pacific Four Series, with this weekend giving them another opportunity to test themselves against the best before their opening world cup clash with hosts England in Sunderland. Viewers outside of the USA and Canada will be able to watch this match on RugbyPass TV.

Two celtic nations go head-to-head in Cork, as Ireland host Scotland.

Despite not qualifying for the World Cup in 2021, Ireland have built a strong side over the intervening years, giving themselves a strong chance of progressing through the tournament. This warm-up clash is the first of two chances for Irish fans to watch their side on home soil before the tournament.

The match with Scotland provides them with an opportunity to extract some level of revenge too, following a surprising loss to their opponents during the Women’s Six Nations.

Scotland themselves are coming off a surprise loss to Italy in their earlier warm-up game, so both teams will be keen to build some momentum as we draw nearer to the end of August.

Tournament hosts England are also in action, hosting Spain in Leicester.

Fresh off their squad naming, the Red Roses will be wanting to lock in their starting combinations in the coming weeks, while Spain will be wanting to improve on their two recent losses to Japan.

Both the Ireland vs Scotland and England vs Spain matches are available on RugbyPass TV to viewers outside of the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The last warm-up match on a big weekend of women’s rugby will take place at 16:00 BST in Cape Town, as the Springbok women take on the Black Ferns XV in the final match of their two game series.

In what was the first match by a New Zealand women’s side in South Africa, the opener was an extremely entertaining affair, won by the women in black 34-26.

Their second clash will be another vital measuring stick for the South Africans, who were impressive in last week’s defeat, and have an excellent chance to advance from their pool come September.

The final clash is available on RugbyPass TV to all viewers outside of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Classic Matches

Classic Wallabies vs British & Irish Legends, North Sydney Oval, Sydney, 10:00 BST, 31^st July – Watch live here

Kicking off the Festival of Rugby on the field is the Classic Wallabies, who are back in action against their (very) old foes, the British & Irish Legends.

Also at the North Sydney Oval but on Thursday night local time, the Classic Wallabies will be looking to do what their younger compatriots haven’t in securing the series, currently 1-0 up off the back of an entertaining 41-31 win in Melbourne.

While it is unlikely that Drew Mitchell will be involved after his ‘friend’ Kurtley Beale applied the commentators’ curse on his hamstrings, there is bound to be a ton of rugby’s former greats in action, with the match available to users outside of Australia live and free on RugbyPass TV.