Wales’ 2019 Rugby World Cup preparations will see Warren Gatland’s side face back-to-back fixtures against both England and Ireland next summer.
Wales will kick-off their series of matches on Sunday August 11th with a visit to Twickenham to face England. The two sides will play the reverse fixture six days later at Principality Stadium on Saturday August 17.
Wales will then welcome Ireland to Cardiff on Saturday August 31 before concluding their fixture programme in Dublin against Ireland on Saturday September 7th. The final fixture against Ireland will come after Wales have submitted their RWC squad to World Rugby, which will take place earlier that week.
“I’m delighted with the fixture schedule we have put together for next summer leading us into the rugby world cup,” said Gatland.
“We have put together a detailed plan of preparation leading into the tournament and these fixtures are an extremely important part of that. It is important we test ourselves in competitive environments before heading to Japan and these matches are ideal for us and I’m delighted to have secured back-to-back fixtures against both England and Ireland.
“The home matches especially are also a great opportunity for us to play in front of our supporters and for them to see us in action before we head to Japan.”
With the tournament just 12 months away the WRU yesterday announced a unique partnership with the city of Kitakyushu where the squad will base themselves upon arrival in Japan. The on-going community engagement programme and backing from the city will see Wales head to Toyota for their first game on September 23, 2019, full of support.
Wales’ 2019 summer fixtures:
(KO time and broadcast details TBC)
England v Wales (Twickenham) Sunday August 11.
Wales v England (Principality Stadium) Saturday August 17.
Wales v Ireland (Principality Stadium) Saturday August 31.
Ireland v Wales (Aviva Stadium) Saturday September 7