The deal is a sublicensing contract from Setanta Sport who bought up the TV rights to the tournament and will be screening live and pay-per-view coverage of the matches through its own channels.
Fox Sports World will televise the opening ceremony on Monday, October 13, followed by the opening match between Australia and Argentina on a three day delayed basis.
The USA Eagles' first match, against Fiji, will be televised on Friday, October 18 with network telecasts concluding with the World Cup Final on Tuesday, November 25.
Fox Sports World will count down to the start of the World Cup with four preview shows, titled Road to the Rugby World Cup. Each of the two-hour shows will analyze one of the four five-team pools and highlight the participating teams, focusing on the leading players and key match-ups within each group.
"Anticipation is building for 2003 Rugby World Cup, and Fox Sports World will be the primary residential outlet for complete coverage of the tournament," said David Sternberg, general manager of Fox Sports World.
"We are confident that our broadcasts will draw significant interest in the US, as rugby is one of the fastest growing participant sports in the country at the collegiate and youth levels."
Fox Sports World is available in the US through affiliated cable systems, and through DirecTV and Dish Network satellite providers.
Pay-TV channel Fox Sports World has obtained the delayed TV rights in the US for all 48 matches of the 2003 Rugby World Cup.
