{"id":673102,"date":"2026-07-04T08:17:21","date_gmt":"2026-07-04T08:17:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/673102\/"},"modified":"2026-07-04T08:17:21","modified_gmt":"2026-07-04T08:17:21","slug":"nations-championship-2026-japan-v-italy-free-streams-and-tv-channels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/673102\/","title":{"rendered":"Nations Championship 2026: Japan v Italy free streams and TV channels"},"content":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s little to choose between the Brave Blossoms and the Azzurri in the world rankings…<\/p>\n

\t\"Tommaso\t\t<\/p>\n

Watch Japan v Italy in a match the world rankings suggest might be too tight to call (Kenta Harada\/Getty Images)\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Watch Japan v Italy as Tokyo hosts what could be one of the tightest games in this opening weekend of Nations Championship<\/a> fixtures. The Azzurri ran out comfortable winners the last time they played the Brave Blossoms on their own turf, but it\u2019s never wise to underestimate a team coached by Eddie Jones\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2013 Date: Saturday 4 July,\u00a02026<\/p>\n

\u2013 Kick-off time: 9.40am BST \/ 10.40am CET \/ 10.40am SAST \/ 6.40pm AEST \/ 8.40pm NZST \/ 4.40am EDT<\/p>\n

\u2013\u00a0FREE STREAMS: ITVX<\/a> \/(UK), Virgin Media<\/a> Play<\/a> (Ireland), TF1+<\/a> (France)<\/p>\n

\u2013 Watch from anywhere: Try NordVPN 100% risk-free<\/a><\/p>\n

You can watch Japan v Italy live streams for free in the UK, Ireland and France. Read on to find out how to tune in the game, wherever you are in the world this weekend \u2013 including details of how you can use a VPN<\/a> to watch your usual TV services if you\u2019re away from home right now.<\/p>\n

How to watch Japan v Italy for free<\/p>\n

There are several free streams over the opening weekend of Nations Championship action, including:<\/p>\n

United Kingdom: Japan v Italy is available on both terrestrial channel ITV4 and the ITVX<\/a> streaming service. Both options are free to use but remember that you need a current TV Licence to watch\/stream live television in the UK. ITV\u2019s coverage starts at 9.30am BST, with kick-off at 9.40am.
\nIreland: Rugby fans in Ireland can watch Japan v Italy for free on Virgin Media<\/a> Play<\/a>. The game gets underway at 9.40am IST.
\nFrance: Japan v Italy live streams are available for free on the TF1+<\/a> streaming service. Kick-off is at 10.40am CT.<\/p>\n

Travelling overseas this weekend? Residents of the UK, Ireland and France can still watch their usual free streaming service with the help of a good VPN. Keep reading to find out more\u2026<\/p>\n

Read more: How to watch Nations Championship 2026 from anywhere<\/a><\/p>\n

Stream Japan v Italy from anywhere<\/p>\n

Overseas right now? That doesn\u2019t mean you have to miss the rugby. By using a VPN you can avoid the geo-blocking restrictions that might otherwise prevent you from tuning in to Japan v Italy when you\u2019re overseas. There are plenty of good VPNs you can buy, but the tech experts at TechRadar<\/a> reckon NordVPN is currently world number one.<\/p>\n

More ways to watch Japan v Italy<\/p>\n

Australia: Stan Sport<\/a> is the place to go for Japan v Italy live streams down under. You\u2019ll need a $20 per month Stan Sport plan (in addition to your base Stan subscription) to tune in. Kick-off is at 6.40pm AEST this evening.
\nNew Zealand: In New Zealand, Japan v Italy is on Sky Sport<\/a>, which costs $54.99 per month for a streaming subscription. Kick-off is 8.40pm NZST tonight.
\nSouth Africa: SuperSport<\/a> will be your destination for Japan v Italy live streams in South Africa, and is available via DStv and streaming. The match gets underway at 10.40am SAST this morning.
\nUnited States: In the US you can watch Japan v Italy, along with all the Nations Championship games, on World Rugby\u2019s RugbyPass TV<\/a>. It\u2019s free to use, though you do need to register before you can start streaming the action. The game kicks off at 4.40am EDT\/1.40am PDT on Saturday morning.<\/p>\n

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