TV3 will broadcast the 2015 Rugby World Cup following their victory in a bidding war with RTE, The Irish Times reports.

Following the recent loss of the rights to the GAA championship, TV3 were able to offer an increased amount to the IRB for rights to show the Rugby World Cup.

The deal is expected to be announced by the IRB next week.

Irish viewers will have the option of viewing the tournament on TV3 or ITV.

The news comes as a second blow to RTE in recent weeks, following the entry of Sky Sports to the GAA market, a move which not only replaces TV3 as broadcaster of a number of games during the summer but also means RTE will face direct competition from the satellite broadcaster for the All-Ireland hurling and football semi-finals and finals.