For rugby fans waking up early in the UK, the 2026 Nations Championship opener between the All Blacks and France is the kind of fixture that sets the tone for the season. With kick-off at 08:10 BST from One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch, this Round 1 clash promises immediate intensity. Whether you’re after a live score tracker or the historical context that makes this rivalry special, you’ll find both here, anchored to verified data from official sources.

Kick-off time (UK): 08:10 BST / 07:10 GMT · Stadium: One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch · Competition: Nations Championship Round 1 · Date: 4 July 2026 · Broadcaster (UK): Sky Sports Action

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Match date: 4 July 2026, venue: One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch (World Rugby)
  • UK broadcast: Sky Sports Action (RugbyPass)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact squad lineups – announced closer to match day (Flicks)
  • Free streaming options beyond limited free trials (Flicks)
3Timeline signal
  • 4 July 2026 – Nations Championship Round 1: New Zealand vs France (World Rugby)
  • 12 July 2024 – Last Test: New Zealand 43-17 France (Rugby World)
4What’s next
  • All Blacks face Italy on 11 July 2026 at Hnry Stadium, Wellington (Rugby World)
  • Nations Championship final: 29 November 2026 at Twickenham (Wikipedia)

The six key facts below pull together the essential details at a glance – from the venue to the last meeting – so you can keep the context handy as the match unfolds.

Label Value
Competition Nations Championship Round 1
Venue One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch
Date 4 July 2026
UK Kick-off 08:10 BST
Broadcaster Sky Sports Action
Last Meeting 12 Jul 2024, NZ 43-17 France

What is the live score of All Blacks vs France?

Current scoreboard and key moments

The match is part of the 2026 Nations Championship Round 1 and is being played at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch (World Rugby). For real-time score updates, dedicated platforms like RugbyPass, Flashscore, and Sofascore provide play-by-play coverage. Key moments – tries, conversions, penalties, and substitutions – are typically logged within seconds.

How to follow the live score on RugbyPass and Flashscore

RugbyPass offers a dedicated live-score page for this fixture (RugbyPass), while Flashscore aggregates data from official feeds. Both are reliable tier-2 sources. The pattern: these platforms refresh automatically, so you can keep the tab open during the match.

Why this matters

For UK fans waking up at 08:10 BST, having a live-score page on a second screen means you can track the action even if you’re commuting or juggling morning routines.

Where can I watch All Blacks vs France live free?

Official broadcasters: Sky Sports in the UK

In the UK, the match is live on Sky Sports Action (RugbyPass). No free-to-air broadcaster in the UK has confirmed coverage for this Nations Championship opener. Broadcaster Flicks (New Zealand streaming guide) lists Sky Sport Now as the NZ option, but UK viewers are largely behind the paywall.

Free trial options for streaming services

Sky’s Now TV occasionally offers free trials for new subscribers – typically 7 days. This would provide temporary access to Sky Sports Action without a long-term commitment. The catch: free trials are not guaranteed and may require payment details.

The catch

No official free stream exists for this match. Unofficial streams carry malware risks and poor reliability. The safest budget option is a free trial of Now TV if available.

What time does New Zealand vs France kick off?

Kick-off time in UK (BST/GMT)

UK kick-off is confirmed at 08:10 BST on 4 July 2026 (Rugby World). That’s 07:10 GMT for viewers in the UK during winter time (though July is BST).

Kick-off time in New Zealand (NZST)

Local time in New Zealand is 19:10 NZST (World Rugby).

Kick-off time in France (CEST)

France viewers will see a 09:10 CEST start (RugbyPass).

Time zone map

A handy breakdown: 08:10 BST = 09:10 CEST = 17:10 AEST = 19:10 NZST. The match falls in the July international window, so daylight saving applies in most regions.

Who won the last All Blacks vs France match?

Result of the most recent Test match (43-17 to New Zealand)

The most recent encounter took place on 12 July 2024 and ended New Zealand 43-17 France (Rugby World). Sky Sports coverage noted “tries from Roigard, Savea, Taylor, Vaa’i” in that match.

Head-to-head record summary

Overall, New Zealand leads the head-to-head record with over 60% of wins against France (RugbyPass). However, France has claimed notable victories, including the 40-25 win in the 2021 Autumn Series in Paris (Rugby World).

“New Zealand 43-17 France – Tries from Roigard, Savea, Taylor, Vaa’i.”

— Sky Sports match report, 12 July 2024 (Rugby World)

“Nations Championship Round 1: New Zealand vs France on 4 July 2026 at One New Zealand Stadium.”

— RugbyPass match summary (RugbyPass)

What is the head-to-head record between France and New Zealand?

Five key metrics, one pattern: New Zealand’s historical dominance meets France’s rising threat in big moments.

Metric New Zealand France
Total Test matches 64 64
Wins 45 (70%) 14 (22%)
Last 5 matches 4 wins 1 win
Last meeting (12 Jul 2024) 43-17 17-43
Biggest win 61-10 (2007) 40-25 (2021)

What this means: The All Blacks own the historical record, but France’s 2021 victory in Paris shows they can break the pattern when conditions favour their expansive style. The 2026 Nations Championship opener in Christchurch will test whether that trend continues.

Bottom line: New Zealand holds a clear historical edge, but France’s ability to win away in 2021 proves they are no underdog on their day. For neutral fans, the head-to-head adds spice to every encounter.

Confirmed facts

  • Match date and venue: 4 July 2026 at One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch (World Rugby)
  • UK kick-off time: 08:10 BST (Rugby World)
  • Broadcaster: Sky Sports Action (RugbyPass)
  • Last meeting: New Zealand 43-17 France (12 Jul 2024) (Rugby World)

What’s unclear

  • Exact squad lineups – announced closer to match day
  • Full free streaming availability beyond limited trials (Flicks)
  • Predicted score: All Blacks 28-24 France (based on low-confidence fan projection) (All Blacks Nation)

For UK fans, the choice is straightforward: tune in via Sky Sports Action or a Now TV free trial, or follow the live score on RugbyPass or Flashscore. The All Blacks will be looking to extend their 70% win record over France, but Fabien Galthié’s side has the firepower to upset. Either way, the 4 July 2026 showdown in Christchurch is the day the Nations Championship really begins.

Bottom line: UK viewers without a Sky subscription face a paywall. Your best bet: a free trial of Now TV, or stick to live-score platforms. For New Zealand and France fans, the live broadcast options are clearer – Sky Sport NZ and France Télévisions respectively – but the global audience must plan ahead.

Related reading: All Blacks vs France 2026 Nations Championship match details, kick-off time BST, live score, and UK streaming options · All Blacks vs France 2026 Nations Championship match details, kick-off time BST, live score, and UK streaming options

Additional sources

allblacks.com, world.rugby

Before the match, fans can review the All Blacks team to face France to see who takes the field.

Frequently asked questions

Can I watch All Blacks vs France live on BBC?

No, the BBC has not announced any coverage for this Nations Championship match. The UK broadcast rights are held by Sky Sports (RugbyPass).

What is the kick-off time for France vs New Zealand in New Zealand?

Kick-off in New Zealand is 19:10 NZST on 4 July 2026 (World Rugby).

How many times have France beaten the All Blacks?

France has won 14 of the 64 Tests played between the two sides, a win percentage of about 22% (RugbyPass).

Is the France vs New Zealand match on free-to-air TV?

In the UK, no free-to-air channel is carrying the match. In New Zealand, it is on Sky Sport Now (subscription). France may have free-to-air coverage via France Télévisions, but this has not been confirmed for 2026.

Where can I find live text commentary for France vs All Blacks?

RugbyPass and Flashscore both offer live text commentary and score updates (RugbyPass).