Japan vs France live stream: how to watch rugby online from anywhere today

General view inside the Toyota stadium, Japan, during a rugby match
(Image credit: Getty Images / Francois Nel - World Rugby)

France head to Nagoya today with a much changed squad, for this, the first of two rugby Test matches against Japan. World Player of the Year Antoine Dupont, alongside his Toulouse teammate Romain Ntamack, are both missing from coach Fabien Galthie's somewhat experimental 42-man line-up. Read on as our guide explains how to watch a Japan vs France live stream wherever you are right now.

Japan vs France live stream

Date: Saturday, July 2

Kick-off time: 7am BST / 2am ET / 11pm PT / 4pm AEST / 6pm NZST

Venue: Toyota Stadium, Nagoya, Japan

Global streams: Premier Sports (UK) | FloRugby (US) 

Watch anywhere: try ExpressVPN 100% risk-free

Toulon loose forward Charles Ollivon leads a group that includes includes 17 uncapped players alongside Melvyn Jaminet, Matthieu Jalibert, Damien Penaud, and Virimi Vakatawa. Ollivon comes into the squad fresh from a star turn in the Barbarians 52-21 victory over England last weekend.

The hosts meanwhile come into this double-header off the back of a resounding series win over Uruguay earlier this month, with skipper Atsushi Sakate among the scorers in last weekend's convincing 43-7 win over the South Americans.

Follow our guide as we explain how to get a Japan vs France live stream wherever you are right now.


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How to watch Japan vs France: live stream rugby in the UK

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Japan vs France kicks off at 7am BST on Saturday morning, and it's being shown on Premier Sports in the UK. Coverage starts at 6.50am BST on Premier Sports 1.

Premier Sports is available on TV from £9.99 per month through <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=11005&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sky.com%2Fshop%2F" data-link-merchant="awin1.com"" target="_blank">Sky and from £12.99 per month through <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=6399&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.virginmedia.com%2F" data-link-merchant="awin1.com"" data-link-merchant="awin1.com"" target="_blank">Virgin Media.

The network also has its own streaming-only options, costing £9.99 for the full suite of the network's channels, including Premier Sports 1 and 2, Free Sports, LaLiga TV, and Box Nation.

If you're outside the UK, don't worry about geo-blocks on your account – simply <a href="https://xvtelink.com/techradar?a_fid=744&data1=hawk-custom-tracking&offer=3monthsfree" data-link-merchant="xvtelink.com"" data-link-merchant="awin1.com"" data-link-merchant="awin1.com"" target="_blank">download and install a good VPN and follow the instructions below to live stream the action just as you would if you were at home.

Watch an Japan vs France live stream from outside your country

If you're abroad right now and struggling to tap into your regular coverage of the game, you'll want a VPN. This'll help you circumvent the geo-blocking that will try to stop you watching an Japan vs France live stream in particular parts of the world.

They're a useful means of getting around this issue, are cheap, and easy to set-up as well. Here's how it's done.

Use a VPN to watch a Japan vs France live stream from anywhere

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How to use a VPN for Japan vs France

Using a VPN to watch this match is as easy as one-two-three...

1. Download and install a VPN - as we say, our top choice is ExpressVPN.

2. Connect to the appropriate server location - open the VPN app, hit 'choose location' and select the appropriate location.

3. Go to the broadcaster's live stream - so if you're from the UK, just head to Sky Go or Sky Now


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Can I watch Japan vs France in Australia?

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like any broadcasters are showing Japan vs France Down Under. 

If you're still keen to try out your luck, the only alternative is to use one of the best VPN service providers to tap into coverage from elsewhere, as described above.

The software is generally ideal for this as it allows you to change your IP address and appear to be in a completely different location - and all through a safe, encrypted connection. But do bear in mind that most paid streaming services do require a credit card based in the same country as the service.

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How to watch rugby in the US: live stream Japan vs France

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Dedicated rugby streaming service FloRugby has the broadcast rights for the Japan vs France game in the US, with kick-off set for 2am ET / 11pm PT on Friday night / Saturday morning.

A monthly FloRugby subscription costs $29.99, with an annual subscription costing $150 that you can sign up to on the website. 

Both packages give you access to the entire FloSports network, which includes coverage of cycling, motorsport and American Football, all of which can be watched on a range of devices, including iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast and Apple TV.

New Zealand flag

Can I watch Japan vs France rugby in New Zealand?

It sadly the same story as their Antipodean neighbours for rugby fans in New Zealand looking to watch this game, with no Kiwi broadcasters set to show Japan vs France. 

If you're still desperate to watch the game live, you're best bet is to use one of the best VPN service providers to access coverage from elsewhere, as described above.

Kevin Lynch

Kevin Lynch is a London-born, Dublin-based writer and journalist. The author of Steve Jobs: A Biographic Portrait, Kevin is a regular feature writer for a number of tech sites and the former Technology Editor for the Daily Mirror. He has also served as editor of GuinnessWorldRecords.com and has been a member of the judging panel for the BAFTA British Academy Video Game Awards. Alongside reviewing the latest AV gear, smartphones and computers, Kevin also specialises in music tech and can often be found putting the latest DAWs, MIDI controllers and guitar modellers through their paces. Born within the sound of Bow Bells, Kevin is also a lifelong West Ham fan for his troubles.