The 2023 Rugby World Cup begins in September as the top ranked national teams in the world gather in France for a two month competition to prove who is the best country in the world when it comes to rugby. 

This is the 11th Rugby World Cup, which started in 1987 and South Africa, the defending champion, enters the competition seeking its fourth Rugby World Cup. South Africa and New Zealand are currently tied for the most Rugby World Cup titles, but the favorite to win in 2023 is Ireland, which is seeking its first appearance ever in the Rugby World Cup Final. 

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Ireland is currently the No.1-ranked team in the world, according to the Rugby World Cup website. Here's the complete rankings: 

Rugby National Teams World Rankings: 

• Ireland (1)
• France (2)
• New Zealand  (3)
• South Africa (4) 
• Scotland (5) 
• England (6) 
• Australia (7)
• Argentina (8)
• Wales (9)
• Japan (10) 
• Georgia (11)
• Samoa (12)
• Fiji (13)
• Italy (14)
• Tonga (15)
• Portugal (16)
• Uruguay (17)
• Romania (19)
• Namibia (21)
• Chile (22)

According to the World Rugby Rankings, the United States is ranked 18th in the world and Spain is ranked 20. The U.S. and Spain did not qualify for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. 

Rugby World Cup 2023 Schedule

Here are the dates. All times are EST. 

Sept. 8: 

• France vs. New Zealand, 3: 15 p.m. 

Sept. 9: 

• Italy vs. Namibia, 7 a.m. 
• Ireland vs. Romania, 9:30 a.m. 
• Australia vs. Georgia, noon
• England vs. Argentina, 3 p.m. 

Sept. 10: 

• Japan vs. Chile, 7 a.m. 
• South Africa vs Scotland, 11:45 a.m. 
• Wales vs Fiji, 3 p.m. 

Sept. 14: 

• France vs. Uruguay, 3 p.m. 

Sept. 15: 

• New Zealand vs. Namibia, 3 p.m. 

Sept. 16: 

• Samoa vs. Chile, 9 a.m. 
• Wales vs. Portugal, 11:45 a.m. 
• Ireland vs. Tonga, 3 p.m. 

Sept. 17: 

• South Africa vs. Romania, 9 a.m. 
• Australia vs. Fiji, 11: 45 a.m. 
• England vs. Japan, 3 p.m. 

Sept. 20: 

• Italy vs. Uruguay, 11:45 a.m. 

Sept. 21: 

• France vs. Namibia, 3 p.m. 

Sept. 22: 

• Argentina vs. Samoa, 11:45 a.m. 

Sept. 23: 

• Georgia vs. Portugal, 8 a.m. 
• England vs. Chile, 11:45 a.m. 
• South Africa vs. Ireland, 3 p.m. 

Sept. 24: 

• Scotland vs Tonga, 11:45 a.m. 
• Wales vs Australia, 3 p.m. 

Sept. 27

• Uruguay vs. Namibia, 11:45 a.m. 

Sept. 28: 

• Japan vs. Samoa, 3 p.m. 

Sept. 29: 

• New Zealand vs. Italy, 3 p.m. 

Sept. 30: 

• Argentina vs. Chile, 9 a.m.    
• Fiji vs. Georgia, 11:45 a.m. 
• Scotland vs. Romania, 3 p.m. 

Oct. 1: 

• Australia vs. Portugal, 11:45 a.m. 
• South Africa vs. Tonga, 3 p.m. 

Oct. 5: 

• New Zealand vs. Uruguay, 3 p.m. 

Oct. 6: 

• France vs. Italy, 3 p.m. 

Oct. 7: 

• Wales vs. Georgia, 9 a.m. 
• England vs. Samoa, 11:45 a.m. 
• Ireland vs. Scotland, 3 p.m. 

2023 Rugby World Cup Pools

Here are the pools for the Rugby World Cup: 

Pool A: 

• New Zealand 
• France 
• Italy 
• Uruguay 
• Namibia 

Pool B:

• South Africa 
• Ireland 
• Scotland 
• Tonga 
• Romania 

Pool C: 

• Wales 
• Australia
• Fiji 
• Georgia 
• Portugal 

Pool D: 

• England 
• Japan 
• Argentina 
• Samoa 
• Chile

When Do The Rugby World Cup 2023 Knock Stages Begin?

Quarterfinals will begin on Oct. 14. Semifinals will begin on Oct. 20. 

The third and fourth place match will be on Oct. 27.

When Is The Rugby World Cup 2023  Final?

The Rugby World Cup Final is on Oct. 28.  

How To Watch The 2023 Rugby World Cup In The US

The Rugby World Cup is streaming on Peacock. Head to FloRugby for complete coverage of the Rugby World Cup.