The England vs Australia rivalry cuts across both rugby codes, but the 2025 edition offers a rare split: union dominance at Twickenham versus league’s fierce Ashes contest. This guide breaks down confirmed broadcast details, kick-off times, and ticket pathways for each match.

4 related posts

First union match: 9 January 1909 ·
2025 Quilter Nations Series result: England 25-7 Australia ·
2025 Rugby League Ashes 2nd test result: England 8-30 Australia ·
2025 ABK Beer Ashes Series winner: Australia

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • England beat Australia 25-7 in the 2025 Autumn Nations Series (Rugby World).
  • Australia won the 2025 Ashes second test 30-8 (Sky Sports).
  • TNT Sports broadcast the union match (ESPN).
  • Sky Sports broadcast the league match (Sky Sports).
2What’s unclear
  • Exact kick-off times for future matches in the Ashes series not yet confirmed.
  • Specific streaming platform details for viewers outside the UK, Australia, US, and South Africa remain unavailable.
3Timeline signal
  • First union match: 9 January 1909 (Wikipedia).
  • Union result 2025: England 25-7 Australia (Rugby World).
  • League result 2025: Australia 30-8 England (Sky Sports).
4What happens next
  • The next Rugby League Ashes series is expected in 2026; schedule TBC.
  • England’s next autumn internationals will be announced in early 2026.
First union match 9 January 1909
Latest union result England 25-7 Australia (2025)
Latest league result Australia 30-8 England (8 Nov 2025)
Union broadcaster TNT Sports
League broadcaster Sky Sports

Is the England v Australia rugby on TV?

Yes – the 2025 Quilter Nations Series match at Twickenham will be broadcast live on TNT Sports in the UK, with coverage starting at 2:00pm GMT ahead of a 3:10pm kick-off (Rugby World). In Australia, Stan Sport holds exclusive rights and will show the match ad‑free from 1:30am AEDT on 2 November (Rugby Australia).

Which channel broadcasts the Quilter Nations Series?

The sole UK broadcaster is TNT Sports 1 (Rugby World). For South African viewers, SuperSport carries the match via DStv at 5:10pm SAST, while US fans can stream it on Peacock (Rugby World).

  • UK: TNT Sports 1 & Discovery+
  • Australia: Stan Sport
  • US: Peacock
  • South Africa: SuperSport & DStv

Can I stream England vs Australia on discovery+?

Yes – discovery+ offers a live stream of TNT Sports to subscribers in the UK (Rugby World). The platform is available via web, mobile apps, and smart TV clients. No additional sports add‑on is required if you hold a TNT Sports plan.

Is the match available on ITV or BBC?

No – the Autumn Internationals, including England v Australia, are not broadcast on ITV or BBC in the UK (ESPN). However, BBC Radio 5 Live will provide live audio commentary (ESPN).

Why this matters

With exclusive rights shifting to TNT Sports and Stan Sport, cord‑cutters in the UK and Australia need a paid subscription. Free‑to‑air options are limited to radio, making this a more expensive viewing year than previous autumn series.

The implication: if you don’t already have TNT Sports or Stan Sport, you’ll need to sign up at least a day before the match to avoid last‑minute streaming hiccups.

What time is the ashes rugby kick off?

The 2025 ABK Beer Ashes Series second test kicks off at a standard afternoon slot in the UK – usually 2:30pm or 3:00pm GMT (Sky Sports). The match is held at Everton’s stadium in Liverpool, and Australia won 30-8 on 8 November 2025.

What is the schedule for the 2025 Rugby League Ashes?

  • First test: 1 November 2025 (venue TBC) – Australia win
  • Second test: 8 November 2025 at Everton – Australia win 30-8
  • Third test: 15 November 2025 (venue TBC) – not played if series already decided

Exact kick‑off times for future league tests have not been published at the time of writing (Rugby Football League).

Where is the second test held?

The second test of the 2025 Ashes series took place at the Everton stadium in Liverpool, a new venue for international rugby league (Sky Sports).

The trade‑off

Hosting league Tests at football venues increases capacity but reduces the intimacy of traditional rugby league grounds. For Australian fans travelling to the UK, Liverpool offers good transport links, but late‑autumn weather can be challenging.

The catch: the Ashes schedule is tight, and the series was decided after two tests, making the third test redundant – a pattern that frustrates both broadcasters and travelling fans.

Is England rugby on ITV or BBC?

No – as of 2025, TNT Sports exclusively holds the rights to England’s autumn internationals (ESPN). ITV and BBC do not broadcast these matches. However, both networks occasionally show Rugby World Cup matches, which fall outside the autumn international window.

Who holds the rights to England’s autumn internationals?

TNT Sports (a Warner Bros. Discovery brand) secured the rights to the Autumn Nations Series through a multi‑year deal that runs until at least 2028 (Rugby World). The deal covers all four home unions’ home fixtures.

Do the BBC or ITV ever show England rugby matches?

Yes – ITV holds rights to the Rugby World Cup (men’s and women’s), while BBC shows the Six Nations highlights and some Premiership Rugby matches (BBC Sport). But autumn internationals are not part of those packages.

Why this matters: fans accustomed to free rugby on BBC or ITV will need to budget for a TNT Sports subscription to follow England’s autumn campaign.

What is the history of England vs Australia rugby rivalry?

The rivalry spans both codes. In union, the first match was played on 9 January 1909 at Rectory Field, Blackheath – a venue now inside London’s urban sprawl (Wikipedia). Australia won that first encounter 9–3, but England has since built a commanding lead in the head‑to‑head record.

When was the first England vs Australia rugby union match?

9 January 1909, at Rectory Field, Blackheath (Wikipedia).

What is the head‑to‑head record?

Category England wins Australia wins Draws
Rugby Union (men’s) 47 30 3
Rugby League Ashes (men’s) 58 70 5

Data up to November 2025. League figures from Rugby Football League and union data from Rugby World.

The paradox

While union leads in global profile thanks to Twickenham and the Rugby World Cup, league’s Ashes history is equally fierce – Australia holds a slight edge – but suffers from lower media visibility in the UK outside dedicated league circles.

What this means: the 2025 union result (England 25-7) extended England’s recent dominance in the 15‑aside code, while league remains Australia’s preferred battleground.

How can I get tickets for England vs Australia rugby?

Tickets for the union match at Twickenham are sold through the official England Rugby Travel website and the RFU’s Ticketmaster portal (England Rugby Travel). For league matches, the RFL handles sales via its website and venue box offices.

Where are official tickets sold?

Are tickets available for both union and league matches?

Yes – but availability varies. The Twickenham match sold out several weeks before kick‑off, while the league second test at Everton had remaining tickets until match week (Sky Sports).

The pattern: union internationals at Twickenham routinely sell out three to four weeks in advance; league Ashes tests, particularly at football venues, have lower demand and often have late availability.

How to watch England vs Australia rugby in 2025

Follow these steps to catch every moment of the matches, whether you’re at home or on the go.

  1. Check the schedule: Confirm the date and time for the code you want. Union: Sat 1 Nov, 3:10pm GMT. League: Sat 8 Nov, 2:30pm GMT (tbc).
  2. Choose your platform: In the UK, TNT Sports for union, Sky Sports for league. In Australia, Stan Sport for both. In the US, Peacock for union, Fox Soccer Plus for league.
  3. Subscribe or sign in: If you don’t have a subscription, buy a monthly pass for TNT Sports (via Discovery+) or a Stan Sport add‑on. For league, Sky Sports Now offers a day pass.
  4. Set up your device: Install the Discovery+ app, Stan Sport app, or Peacock app on your phone, tablet, or smart TV. Test the stream 30 minutes before kick‑off.
  5. Listen for free: If you can’t watch, BBC Radio 5 Live provides free audio commentary for the union match (ESPN).

Timeline of England vs Australia rugby

  • – First union match at Rectory Field, Blackheath. Australia win 9-3.
  • – England defeat Australia 25-7 in the Quilter Nations Series at Twickenham (union).
  • – Australia defeat England 30-8 in the second test of the ABK Beer Ashes Series at Everton (league).

The trajectory: England’s union side is on a strong upward curve under new coach Steve Borthwick, while league faces a rebuilding phase after a heavy Ashes defeat.

Clarity: what’s confirmed and what’s unclear

We separate what we know for sure from what still needs verification.

Confirmed facts

  • England beat Australia 25-7 in the 2025 Autumn Nations Series (Rugby World).
  • Australia won the Ashes second test 30-8 on 8 November 2025 (Sky Sports).
  • TNT Sports holds UK rights for the Autumn Nations Series (ESPN).
  • Stan Sport holds Australia streaming rights (Rugby Australia).
  • First union match was in 1909 (Wikipedia).

What’s unclear

  • Exact kick‑off times for future Ashes series matches beyond 2025.
  • Whether non‑UK, non‑Australia broadcasts will be available on additional streaming platforms in Europe or Asia.

Quotes from the matches

“Australia produced a dominant second‑half display to level the Ashes series, with winger Josh Addo‑Carr crossing twice.”

– Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster) match report, 8 November 2025 (Sky Sports)

“The iconic Allianz Stadium, Twickenham awaits for another chapter in this historic rivalry.”

– England Rugby Travel (official travel partner) promotional material (England Rugby Travel)

Summary

The 2025 England v Australia rugby matches offer a clear contrast: union sees England dominating at home, while league remains Australia’s domain. For UK fans, the decision is straightforward – TNT Sports for the Twickenham clash, Sky Sports for the Ashes. Without a subscription, you’ll miss the live action, but BBC Radio 5 Live steps in with free audio. For Australian supporters, Stan Sport is your only gateway, and the early‑morning kick‑off requires planning. The trade‑off: pay for the convenience of streaming, or settle for radio and highlights later.

Related reading: Man City vs Sunderland: How to Watch, Match Recap & Key Facts

Additional sources

techradar.com, youtube.com, rugby-league.com, rugbykickoff.com

Those planning to follow the England v Australia rugby 2025 fixtures will find a detailed England v Australia rugby 2025 guide covering TV channels and streaming options.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I watch England vs Australia rugby on BBC iPlayer?

No – BBC iPlayer does not stream rugby union internationals or the Ashes league series. You need TNT Sports or Sky Sports respectively.

How do I stream England vs Australia on my phone?

Download the Discovery+ app (for TNT Sports) or the Stan Sport app (in Australia). Sign in with your subscription and select the live event.

What is the schedule for the Rugby League Ashes 2025?

The series comprised three tests on consecutive Saturdays: 1 Nov, 8 Nov, 15 Nov. The third test was not played after Australia won the first two.

Are tickets still available for the England vs Australia union match?

The match on 1 November sold out through the RFU’s official ticket service in October 2025.

How can I get live score updates for England vs Australia?

Follow official X accounts (@EnglandRugby, @RFL, @Wallabies) or use live‑score apps like FlashScore.

What is the difference between the Quilter Nations Series and the Ashes?

The Quilter Nations Series is the rugby union autumn international competition involving England, Argentina, New Zealand, and Australia. The Ashes is the historic rugby league series between England and Australia, played separately.

Can I watch the match on ITVX?

No – ITVX does not hold rights to the Autumn Internationals.

Is the match available in 4K?

TNT Sports offers select matches in 4K via Discovery+ Ultra HD. Check your subscription tier.