Rugby World Cup 2023 Pool Fixtures Announced
Ireland's final pool game in 2023 will be against Scotland at the Stade de France ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Ireland’s pool fixtures for Rugby World Cup 2023 in France have been announced by World Rugby and the tournament’s organising committee.
Ireland will kick off their 2023 campaign off against Europe Qualifier 2 in Bordeaux on Saturday, September 9. Although it will not be known until closer to the tournament who Ireland’s opening opposition will be, it could be Russia who Ireland faced at both the 2011 and 2019 tournaments.
On Saturday, September 16, Ireland’s second pool game is against Asia-Pacific 1 in Nantes.
With Fiji already qualified for the tournament, we could see a repeat of the 2019 pool game against Samoa or the 1987 fixture against Tonga.
A week later Ireland take on reigning World champions South Africa at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday, September 23. Ireland have never played the Springboks at a Rugby World Cup.
Two weeks later, again at the Stade de France, Ireland play their final pool match against regular rivals Scotland on Saturday, October 7.
Ireland and Scotland have met twice in Rugby World Cup competition before with one win apiece. Ireland won the last encounter at the 2019 edition of the tournament, 27-13, in Yokohama.
Earlier this month it was announced that the pool phase will be extended by a week to ensure that all teams will have a minimum of five rest days for all matches.