365 days and counting for Wales

The City of Toyota will host the clash on Monday 23 September, the first of four pool games for Wales.
 
With a year to go until the game’s showpiece tournament begins in Asia for the first time we take a look at Wales’ schedule once they touch down in Japan.
 
Following a summer of intense training camps, meticulous planning and four warm-up fixtures, Warren Gatland’s 31-man squad will touch down in Japan on September 12th 2019. 
 
The squad will head to the City of Kitakyushu upon arrival, a city which Wales have formed a unique and long-lasting partnership with over recent years.
 
The WRU and Kitakyushu have team up on and off the field as part of a detailed legacy programme.  The city will host the squad on a training camp upon arriving in Japan providing the players with addition preparation and acclimatisation time in the host country.
 
However this wont be the first time the famous three-feathers would have been spotted in the city.  By the time the squad arrive the WRU would have held three community rugby programmes, delivering rugby sessions to thousands of participants, coaches and referees.  In return, the city is painting itself red to support their adopted Wales during the tournament. (More information on the WRU’s partnership with Kitakyushu click here)
 
From Kitakyushu its north to Toyota and the venue for Wales’ opening clash.  Following their Monday night encounter against Georgia it’s a six-day turnaround to face Australia on Sunday 23 September in the capital Tokyo.
 
Oita is the destination for Wales’ third pool match against Fiji and a quick four-day turnaround follows and a trip to Kumamoto for their final pool match against Uruguay on Sunday 13 October.
 
What happens Monday?  Well that all depends on Wales’ results over the previous three weeks.  If they rank first or second in Pool D it’s a trip back to Oita for one of two quarter-finals to be held in the city.

Tickets for 2019 RWC are available via www.rugbyworldcup.com/tickets