Rugby World Cup 2019 fixtures: England to face France in likely group decider while New Zealand and Springboks do battle on opening weekend
England will play France in their final Pool C match at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, a potential decider that arrives straight after they take on the other heavyweights in the group, Argentina.
The Red Rose’s opponents meanwhile will have their tougher fixtures broken up by supposed easier games against the group’s minnows Tonga and the USA.
The fixtures for the tournament which takes place in Japan were announced on Thursday and revealed that New Zealand will begin the defence of their crown against perennial rivals South Africa.
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Meanwhile Ireland and Scotland will battle for supremacy of their pool on the opening weekend at the tournament’s largest stadium, the 72,000-capacity Yokohama International Stadium which will host the final.
Wales’ crunch meeting with Australia in Pool D comes a week later in Tokyo.
England fixtures
England v Tonga
Sunday 22 September, 11.15am UK time, Sapporo Dome, Sapporo.
The Sapporo Dome is where England beat Argentina at the 2002 football World Cup (Source: Getty)
England v USA
Thursday 26 September, 11.45m UK time, Kobe Misaki Stadium, Kobe
The Japanese rugby side has played at the Kobe Misaki Stadium in the past (Source: Getty)
England v Argentina
Saturday 5 October, 9am UK time, Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo
The Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo is the second largest in the competition (Source: Getty)
England v France
Saturday 12 October, 09.15am UK time, International Stadium, Yokohama
With a 72,000 capacity the Yokohama International Stadium is the largest at the World Cup and will host the final (Source: Getty)
Other pool fixtures to look out for
Japan’s curtain raiser
Friday 20 September, 11.45am UK time, Tokyo Stadium
France v Argentina – crucial for England
Saturday 21 September, 08.15am UK time, Tokyo Stadium
New Zealand v South Africa – southern hemisphere heavyweights meet
Saturday 21 September, 10.45am UK time, Yokohama International Stadium
Ireland v Scotland – Celtic clash
Sunday 22 September, 08.45am UK time, Yokohama International Stadium
Australia v Wales – potential pool decider
Sunday 29 September, 08.45am UK time, Tokyo Stadium
Japan v Scotland – can the hosts progress?
Sunday 13 October, 11.45am UK time, Yokohama International Stadium
The final
Saturday 2 November, 09.00am UK time, Yokohama International Stadium