Scotland face Ireland in Rugby World Cup opener
2 Nov 2017Scotland will face Ireland in the nation’s opening fixture of Rugby World Cup 2019 at the International Stadium in Yokohama on (Sunday 22 September, kick-off 4.45pm) it was announced today.
The iconic ground is at the heart of the tournament, playing host to Scotland’s final – and potentially decisive – pool round against hosts Japan on Sunday 13 October, before hosting both semi-finals and the Rugby World Cup 2019 Final.
Between those rounds Scotland will face the Play-Off Winner on Monday 30 September at the Kobe Misaki Stadium (kick-off 7.15pm) followed by Europe 1 on Wednesday 9 October at the Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa (kick-off 4.15pm).
World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said: “Today the tournament comes to life for the players and fans. The announcement of the match schedule and ticketing programme will generate excitement as we all look ahead to a tournament that will break new ground as the first in Asia.
“We know that this will be a special, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Japan to welcome the world to the whole of this great nation and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for rugby fans from around the world to experience all Japan has to offer.”
World Rugby designed the match to optimise rest days for tier two teams ahead of tier one fixtures, enhancing preparation. No tier two team plays a tier one team following a short rest period.
World Rugby Chief Executive Brett Gosper added: “The development of the match schedule is an important milestone for what will be a very special Rugby World Cup. Throughout this rigorous process, we have had participating team experience for teams and fans at heart.
“We have worked hard to deliver a match schedule that improves on the Rugby World Cup 2015 model, delivering a more balanced spread of matches across the four weeks of pool matches and greater rest periods for the emerging rugby nations ahead of matches against the top-ranked teams.”
Scotland’s RWC 2019 schedule
Round One: Sunday 22 September – Ireland v Scotland; International Stadium, Yokohama (kick-off 4.45pm)
Round Two: Monday 30 September – Scotland v Play-Off Winner; Kobe Misaki Stadium (kick-off 7.15pm)
Round Three: Wednesday 9 October – Scotland v Europe 1; Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa (kick-off 4.15pm)
Round Four: Sunday 13 October – Japan v Scotland; International Stadium Yokohama (kick-off 7.45pm)
Quarter-final 1: Saturday 19 October – Pool C Winner v Pool D Runner-Up; Oita Stadium (kick-off 4.15pm)
Quarter-final 2: Saturday 19 October – Pool B Winner v Pool A Runner-Up; Tokyo Stadium (kick-off 7.15pm)
Quarter-final 3: Sunday 20 October – Pool D Winner v Pool C Runner-Up; Oita Stadium (kick-off 4.15pm)
Quarter-final 4: Sunday 20 October – Pool A Winner v Pool B Runner-Up; Tokyo Stadium (kick-off 7.15pm)
Semi-final 1: Saturday 26 October – QF1 Winner v QF2 Winner; International Stadium, Yokohama (kick-off 5pm)
Semi-final 2: Sunday 27 October – QF3 Winner v QF4 Winner; International Stadium, Yokohama (kick-off 6pm)
Bronze final: Friday 1 November; International Stadium, Yokohama (kick-off 6pm)
Final: Saturday 2 November; International Stadium, Yokohama (kick-off 6pm)
