England vs Australia: how to watch free, TV channel and UK kick-off time for Nations Championship clash

England vs Australia kicks off at 3.10pm GMT on Sunday 8 November, with live coverage on ITV1 and ITVX as Steve Borthwick’s side begin their November Nations Championship fixtures.

The Wallabies visit Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, for the first of three England home matches this month. Japan and New Zealand follow before the competition’s finals weekend in London.

England’s preparations have been complicated by fitness concerns at half-back, with Alex Mitchell suffering a hamstring injury during Northampton’s win over Gloucester.

How to watch England vs Australia in the UK

England vs Australia is listed live on ITV1, with online streaming through ITVX. STV and STV Player are also listed for viewers in Scotland.

The match is free-to-air. You do not need an additional sports subscription or a pay-per-view purchase to access ITV’s coverage.

To watch online, open ITVX and select the live ITV1 channel. The same match coverage is available through the broadcaster’s television service.

ITV’s Nations Championship agreement covers every fixture in the 2026 and 2028 editions, including the November matches and finals weekend.

England vs Australia kick-off time, date and venue

Detail	Information
Match	England vs Australia
Competition	Nations Championship, Round 4
Date	Sunday 8 November 2026
Venue	Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
UK kick-off	3.10pm GMT
UK television	ITV1; STV in Scotland
UK streaming	ITVX and STV Player

England Rugby’s official match information confirms the 3.10pm kick-off. That is the start of play, rather than the beginning of the television build-up.

For supporters attending, the same announcement lists stadium gates opening at 11.40am. Check the event information and your ticket before travelling.

England team news before the Australia match

Mitchell went off after 21 minutes of Northampton’s 28–14 victory over Gloucester on Saturday. Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson confirmed a hamstring problem but could not immediately establish its severity.

His Northampton team-mates Fin Smith and Archie McParland have also been dealing with injuries, putting England’s half-back options under scrutiny before the Wallabies visit.

Read our Alex Mitchell injury report for the background to those fitness concerns.

Joe Marchant’s return to the England training squad has been another part of the build-up. The Sale centre received his first call-up since the 2023 World Cup after returning from French club rugby.

Our report on Marchant’s England recall covers his inclusion and the midfield options in the training group. A squad call-up does not confirm a place in Sunday’s matchday team.

Why England vs Australia is part of the Nations Championship

The Nations Championship brings the July and November international windows into one competition. England’s home programme continues the campaign that began during the summer.

The tournament features 12 teams, with the northern sides travelling in July before hosting their remaining cross-hemisphere fixtures in November.

Australia’s visit is England’s fourth round of the competition. Three November rounds lead into finals weekend, scheduled for 27–29 November in London.

That gives the autumn matches a shared competitive purpose, with results contributing to the same championship rather than a separate November series.

England’s November fixtures and UK kick-off times

Fixture	Date	UK kick-off
England vs Australia	Sunday 8 November	3.10pm GMT
England vs Japan	Saturday 14 November	4.40pm GMT
England vs New Zealand	Saturday 21 November	2.10pm GMT

All three matches take place at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. England have six days between facing Australia and Japan, followed by a week before New Zealand’s visit.

England vs Australia: frequently asked questions

Is England vs Australia on free television?

Yes. The match is listed on ITV1, with STV coverage in Scotland.

Can I stream England vs Australia?

UK viewers can watch through ITVX, with STV Player also listed for viewers in Scotland.

What time does England vs Australia start?

Kick-off is at 3.10pm GMT on Sunday 8 November at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.