Wales will face Georgia in their opening match of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
The fixtures for the six-week tournament in Japan were announced on Thursday, November 2, with the 15 teams to have so far qualified discovering their schedule.
Wales, currently ranked seventh in the world, have been drawn in a pot with defeated 2015 finalists Australia, Georgia, Fiji, and an as-yet undetermined side from the Americas.
Kicking off their World Cup against The Lelos on Monday, September 23 2019 in Aichi, Wales take on Australia in Tokyo six days later, and Fiji on Wednesday, October 9.
Their Pool D campaign comes to a close with a clash against either Canada or Uruguay, depending on who wins their qualification play-off next January.
Wales’ 2015 World Cup was blighted by injuries but saw them progress at the expense of hosts England, only to be knocked out at the quarter-final stage by South Africa.
Head coach Warren Gatland said: “It is good to have the full details announced as the excitement for the tournament continues to grow.
“We have spoken recently about our aims and belief for 2019 and how our focus over the next two years is to provide a platform for us to peak in Japan. With this announcement we can continue our planning and preparation for the tournament in finer detail.
“We kick off the tournament against Georgia before facing Australia, both of whom we play this November in Cardiff. We then have a good block of time before facing Fiji in Oita, before the short turnaround before our final pool encounter versus Americas 2.
“We have four cities to visit so it is important we buy into the culture of Japan and the tournament.”
Hosts Japan open the ninth Rugby World Cup on Friday, September 20 in Tokyo.
Double reigning champions New Zealand face a mouth-watering tie with South Africa in their first match on the following day in Yokohama, while Ireland face Scotland and England take on Tonga on Sunday, September 22.
Full list of Wales’ Rugby World Cup 2019 fixtures (kick-offs in UK time):
– Wales v Georgia – City of Toyota Stadium – Monday, September 23, 2019 (10.15am kick-off)
– Australia v Wales – Tokyo Stadium – Sunday, September 29, 2019 (7.45am kick-off)
– Wales v Fiji – Oita Stadium – Wednesday, October 9, 2019 (9.45am kick-off)
– Wales v Americas 2 – Kumamoto Stadium – Sunday, October 13, 2019 (8.15am kick-off)
