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Venues announced for 2019 Rugby World Cup

Damien Duff celebrates his goal during the World Cup Finals in 2002 at the International Stadium in Yokohama
Damien Duff celebrates his goal during the World Cup Finals in 2002 at the International Stadium in Yokohama

The stadium where Ireland beat Saudi Arabia 3-0 in the 2002 Soccer World Cup has been selected as one of the venues for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Robbie Keane, Gary Breen and Damien Duff were on the scoresheet at the International Stadium in Yokohama, and the venue will feature again when Japan will host the first Rugby World Cup in Asia in four years' time.

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
  • Oita Stadium, Oita Prefecture

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