RUGBY WORLD CUP 2023
Are you hoping to sing Swing Lo Sweet Chariot at the top of your lungs, see the Welsh dragons roar or cheer on the passionate Scots this year? Well, to see the greatest event in the rugby calendar for yourself, you’ll need to know how to get to the RWC 2023 fixtures in France.
Following a UK team for the 2023 Rugby World Cup will mean plenty of travel between the host cities involved in this major event. So it’s time to learn all about the RWC groups and the French locations where your favourite team will be playing their fixtures.
Planning to get to Rugby World Cup fixtures on the open road? Be sure to check out our guide to driving in France after Brexit – little changes like the requirement to display a national identifier tag are now in place so get up to date before you drive onboard with P&O!
England Matches
| Date | Fixture | Location | Stadium |
| 09/09/23 | England v Argentina | Marseille | Stade Vélodrome |
| 17/09/23 | England v Japan | Nice | Stade de Nice |
| 23/09/23 | England v Americas 2 | Lille | Stade Pierre Mauroy |
| 07/10/23 | England v Samoa | Lille | Stade Pierre Mauroy |
England comes into this tournament as the runners-up from the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Tokyo so fans of the “red and whites” are looking forward to another exciting campaign. Getting between England’s rugby world cup fixtures on the open road is definitely possible thanks to the size of France.
These are the top routes you’ll be doing to travel between fixtures – it’s also worth knowing that if England progress to the knockout phase, their games will be hosted in Marseille and Saint-Denis (Paris).
Drive from Marseille to Nice
Travelling to France by car is a great way to go as it means you can pack everything you might need in the space of your vehicle! Once you’ve crossed the Channel, driving from Calais to Marseille takes just under a day via the A26 and A7. This route is one of the longer journeys in France as it crosses the length of the country.
Journeying onwards from Marseille to Nice is a shorter trip at around two and a half hours via the A8. If you’d like to learn more about the stadiums you’ll be visiting on your trip, check out our guide to the 2023 Rugby World Cup venues!
Drive from Nice to Lille
For the final games of England’s group stage driving from Nice to Lille also takes around a day via the A7. You might want to make a stop off en route in a historic town like Reims to break up your journey and soak up some French culture as there’s culture galore in this great destination!
Scotland Matches
| Date | Fixture | Location | Stadium |
| 10/09/23 | South Africa v Scotland | Marseille | Stade Vélodrome |
| 24/09/23 | Scotland v Tonga | Nice | Stade de Nice |
| 30/09/23 | Scotland v Romania | Lille | Stade Pierre-Mauroy |
| 7/10/23 | Ireland v Scotland | Paris | Stade de France |
While Scotland has qualified for every Rugby World Cup tournament, they are yet to bring the trophy home… Could this be their year? They’ll play the defending world champions in their opening fixture: South Africa vs Scotland – so be ready for some tough opposition!
Drive from Marseille to Nice
While the fastest route between these host cities is via the A26 and A7, you might also want to take a more scenic route. Stopping off at Toulon or Cannes along the way will let you enjoy some of the sparkling waters and amazing views that the South of France has to offer.
Wondering what to do in Marseille when you’re not watching the rugby? France’s second-largest city has plenty to do from exploring impressive buildings to hiking up cliffs to taking in some incredible views.
Drive from Nice to Lille
The next leg of your rugby tour will take you to Lille, a World Cup location that has hosted games previously and has tons of cultural highlights to explore when you’re enjoying some downtime.
If you want to break up the eleven-hour route on the A7, we suggest making a stop off in lovely Lyon!
Drive from Lille to Paris
Scotland’s Rugby World Cup fixtures for the group stages wrap up in the nation’s capital and driving to Paris from Lille will take you just under three hours via the A1. Before seeing the glory of the Stade de France, why not sample some of our Parisian picks?
Wales Matches
| Date | Fixture | Location | Stadium |
| 10/09/23 | Wales v Fiji | Bordeaux | Stade de Bordeaux |
| 16/09/23 | Wales v Portugal | Nice | Stade de Nice |
| 24/09/23 | Wales v Australia | Lyon | Parc OL |
| 7/10/23 | Wales v Georgia | Nantes | Stade de la Beaujoire |
While Wales has reached the Rugby World Cup semi-finals three times, they are yet to lay their hands on the trophy. This time round they’ll be taking on teams from across the globe with each group game in a different city.
Getting to the opening match is just under a day’s drive via the A28 and A10 so be sure to allow plenty of time for your journey!
Drive from Bordeaux to Nice
If you’re planning to take your car on a Dover to Calais ferry, remember to load up with everything you might need before setting off! The next leg of your trip will take just under eight hours via the A62.
To break up this journey you might want to stop off in Toulouse – find out more about this destination and learn why it’s called the Rose City!
Drive from Nice to Lyon
Next, you’ll leave the sunny South of France to enjoy all that Lyon has to offer – this journey takes just over five hours via the A8 and A7.
Drive from Lyon to Nantes
The last stop on your group leg of Wales Rugby World Cup fixtures will take you to Nantes, a city beloved for its castles, cathedrals and Muscadet white wine.
This final stop on your Dover to Calais ferry crossing holiday takes around six and a half hours via the A71 and A85. Now that you know all about navigating the 2023 World Cup, be sure to start planning the trip of a lifetime!
