How to watch 2020 Autumn Nations Cup rugby live in Australia

In a normal year, rugby union in November sees the southern hemisphere's leading nations tour the north. But 2020 is anything but normal. With COVID-19 wreaking havoc with the Test schedule, the Tri Nations has been pushed back in the calendar and the north has created a new competition, the Autumn Nations Cup.

It features the traditional Six Nations teams – England, France, Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy – plus Georgia and Fiji.

When is the Autumn Nations Cup?

The Autumn Nations Cup runs from Sunday 14 November to Monday 7 December AEDT. All Six Nations countries will host games – in London, Paris, Vannes, Dublin, Edinburgh, Florence, Ancona and Llanelli.

How to watch Autumn Nations Cup in Australia

In Australia, the Autumn Nations Cup is being broadcast by beIN SPORTS. That gives you a few options to access some world-class rugby action. beIN SPORTS CONNECT, Foxtel iQ, Foxtel Now and Kayo Sports are all among your choices.

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Stream beIN SPORTS CONNECT free for 14 days

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Stream Autumn Nations Cup on Kayo Sports

Kayo Sports, which currently has a 14-day free trial for new users, also carries the beIN SPORTS channels. All up, Kayo has access to more than 50 sports and we have put together a full review of the service for you, including all the eligible devices.

Subscriptions for Kayo Sports are $25 per month for the Basic option, where you can watch games on 2 screens or devices. The Premium option is $10 more per month and gives you 3 screens.

Kayo also has a number of special features, such as Kayo Minis. Available shortly after matches have completed, you can then watch a condensed version. Other features include SplitView, where you can watch four sports at once, plus Interactive Stats and a Key Moments Timeline.

Watch Autumn Nations Cup on beIN SPORTS

You can catch all the top rugby action directly through beIN SPORTS' streaming service, beIN SPORTS CONNECT. The platform provides access to all three beIN SPORTS channels at a cost of either $19.99 per month or $179.99 per year. There is a two-week free trial for both plans. You can access beIN SPORTS CONNECT via computers and mobile devices.

Catch Autumn Nations Cup via Foxtel Now

Foxtel Now is the pay TV giant's own digital streaming service. You need the Essentials pack in addition to the Sport pack, which is a total of $54 per month.

If you haven't tried it previously, Foxtel Now offers a 10-day free trial. We have also put together a full guide which includes the list of compatible devices. Right now you can also get access to every single Foxtel Now pack for just $25/month.

Who is competing in the Autumn Nations Cup?

Group A comprises of England, Ireland, Wales and Georgia.

Group B is France, Italy, Scotland and Fiji.

What is the format of the Autumn Nations Cup?

Each team will play the others in their group once to determine the standings. Then comes a round of crossover games to establish a winner. The top teams in each group play each other, as do 2 vs 2, 3 vs 3 and 4 vs 4 to sort out the final placings.

Japan were initially slated to compete in the tournament but withdrew due to travel restrictions and were replaced by Georgia. Fiji, meanwhile, have been ravaged by the coronavirus and were forced to forfeit their opening two games against France and Italy. Tournament organisers have awarded 28-0 "victories" to France and Italy in those games.

Who will win the Autumn Nations Cup?

It is hard to go past England, who are looking to add the ANC to their 2020 Six Nations crown. Australian coach Eddie Jones has a wealth of talent to choose from and is mixing in some promising newcomers with the hardened core that reached the final of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

England have a mouthwatering matchup against Ireland in round 2 at 2am AEDT on Sunday 22 November at Twickenham. That will likely determine who tops Group A while France, under new coach Fabien Galthie, are the favourites to win Group B.

Image source: Kayo Sports website