RWC 2019 stadiums announced

by The TRU Team Tuesday 3 March 2015

Japan will host the Rugby World Cup in 2019

©PA

The stadium where David Beckham's penalty handed England a football World Cup victory over Argentina in 2002 heads the list of venues to host Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan.

Former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder Beckham fired England to a 1-0 win at the Sapporo Dome in June 2002 - now the stadium in Sapporo City will play host to the world's top rugby stars some 17 years later.

Japan will host the first Rugby World Cup in Asia in four years' time, and tournament organisers have confirmed the 12 venues that will stage the global contest.

Rugby World Cup chairman Bernard Lapasset said confirming the venues will allow fans locally and worldwide to start planning for the tournament in earnest.

"This is an important milestone for the tournament," said Lapasset.

"Now we know exactly where the matches will be staged in Japan and, more importantly, the people of those cities and fans around the world can start planning for the big event.

"In 2019, hundreds of thousands of rugby fans will descend on Japan and millions more will watch on television as the world's best players compete for the right to lift the Webb Ellis Cup.

"It will be a wonderful tournament and, as it's the first time Rugby World Cup will take place in Asia, it will be an important milestone for us as we continue to make good on our commitment to grow the global game."

The full list of venues is:

* Sapporo Dome, Sapporo City

* Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium, Iwate Prefecture/Kamaishi City

* Kumagaya Rugby Ground, Saitama Prefecture/Kumagaya City

* New National Stadium Japan, Tokyo

* International Stadium Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture/Yokohama City

* Ogasayama Sports Park Ecopa Stadium, Shizuoka Prefecture

* Toyota Stadium, Aichi Prefecture/Toyota City

* Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Osaka Prefecture/Higashi Osaka City

* Kobe City Misaki Park Stadium, Kobe City

* Hakatanomori Football Stadium, Fukuoka City

* Kumamoto Prefectural Athletic Stadium, Kumamoto Prefecture/Kumamoto City