- World Rugby Nations Cup provides key RWC 2019 preparation
- Uruguay set to stage a fantastic tournament
- World Rugby streaming all matches live via its digital and social platforms
World Rugby will be streaming every try, kick and pass from the World Rugby Nations Cup 2019, which kicks off in Uruguay on 4 June.
With a little over 100 days to go until Rugby World Cup 2019, the two-week tournament provides important preparation with hosts Uruguay facing Argentina XV, Russia and Namibia.
Every match will be streamed live via the www.world.rugby website and the federation’s @worldrugby social media channels, giving fans an ideal insight into form ahead of Japan 2019.
South American spotlight
Taking place at the Estadio Charrua in the heart of Uruguayan capital Montevideo, the three-round tournament will welcome the Rugby World Cup hopefuls ahead of a busy schedule for the South American continent, as the U20 Championship kicks off simultaneously in Argentina and the U20 Trophy heads to Brazil in a month’s time.
The continent itself is in the midst of rapid development, and now boasts more than 680,000 rugby players in total and is still buoyant from the successful Americas Rugby Championship 2019, which set new fan engagement and attendance records across a region that has also seen fan numbers rise rapidly to an incredible 198.2 million.
Uruguay, meanwhile, continues to grow as a rugby nation and will be looking to build on their successive victories in the 2017 and 2018 Nations Cup with a hat-trick in 2019 – igniting a run towards Japan later in the year. The Estadio Charrua– home of the Uruguayan Rugby Union – is set to sell out its 14,000 capacity and will inspire the next generation of local players as elite talent sets the pitch alight.
Russia’s renaissance
Meanwhile, Russia will be aiming to state their case heading into Japan, as they prepare for only their second appearance at the showcase tournament. Russia made their first, and only, appearance at Rugby World Cup 2011, and qualified for Japan 2019 via the European process and success ahead of a mouth-watering Rugby World Cup opening match against hosts Japan, will further excitement in a nation of more than 10 million fans.
More than 100,000 players now compete in the sport nationwide, and the Russian women’s team claimed their first global victory in the Rugby Europe Grand Prix Sevens Series late last year. A strong showing at this month’s Nations Cup in Uruguay will see the country primed and ready to hit the ground running when Rugby World Cup arrives.
Namibia flying the flag for Africa
Meanwhile, Namibia are set to star in Uruguay as they look ahead to a sixth Rugby World Cup – where the African nation will sit in Pool B alongside defending champions New Zealand, fellow continental representatives South Africa, Italy and Canada.
Namibia’s appearance at the Nations Cup will be watched closely by onlookers across the African continent as the region grows rapidly under World Rugby’s guidance.
World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “The World Rugby Nations Cup is one of the highlights of the international calendar and this year has additional intrigue as it will give fans a good idea of where the respective teams are in their preparation ahead of Rugby World Cup 2019.
“This is a fantastic tournament, and I would like to thank the Uruguay Rugby Union for their dedication and passion for hosting what promises to be a very competitive Nations Cup.”