Wales launch their bid to win rugby union’s ultimate prize at the Millennium Stadium on 20 September next year and their first opponents will be determined by the outcome of the final two games in the near two-year global qualification process.
Wales were drawn in Pool A with hosts England and two-time champions Australia when the original draw was made. Since then Fiji has joined the Pool as the Oceanic champions after running in 17 tries in a 108-6 win over the Cook Islands.
But the final place in the five-team Pool will be decided by a two leg, repechage play-off between Russia and Uruguay, two teams Wales has yet to meet on the full international stage. The Russians beat Zimbabwe 23-15 in Krasnoyarsk at the start of August to reach the repechage final, while Uruguay triumphed 28-3 over Hong Kong in Montevideo.
Irish referee George Clancy will be the man-in-the-middle when the two teams meet in Krasnoyarsk in the first-leg on 27 September. France’s Romain Poite will control the return match in Montevideo on 11 October
The Russians made their debut World Cup finals debut in New Zealand in 2011 tournament, while Uruguay has appeared at two tournaments.
2015 Rugby World Cup Pool A Fixtures
18 September – England v Fiji                        – Twickenham Stadium
20 September – Wales v Russian / Uruguay  – Millennium Stadium
23 September – Australia v Fiji                       – Millennium Stadium
26 September – England v Wales                   – Twickenham Stadium
27 September – Australia v Russian / Uruguay – Villa Park
01 October     – Wales v Fiji                           – Millennium Stadium
03 October     – England v Australia               – Twickenham Stadium
10 October     – Wales v Australia                  – Twickenham Stadium
10 October     – England v Russia / Uruguay  – Manchester City Stadium
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