Rugby World Cup 2019 fixtures: England to face France in potential pool decider while New Zealand and Springboks do battle on opening weekend

England will play France in their final Pool C match at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, a potential decider that arrives straight after they take on the other heavyweights in the group, Argentina.

The Red Rose's opponents meanwhile will have their tougher fixtures broken up by supposed easier games against the group's minnows Tonga and the USA.

The fixtures for the tournament which takes place in Japan were announced on Thursday and revealed that New Zealand will begin the defence of their crown against perennial rivals South Africa.

Read more: Rugby World Cup 2023 - South Africa recommended ahead of Ireland to host the tournament

Meanwhile Ireland and Scotland will battle for supremacy of their pool on the opening weekend at the tournament's largest stadium, the 72,000-capacity Yokohama International Stadium which will host the final.

Wales' crunch meeting with Australia in Pool D comes a week later in Tokyo.

England fixtures

England v Tonga

Sunday 22 September, 11.15am UK time, Sapporo Dome, Sapporo.

The Sapporo Dome is where England beat Argentina at the 2002 football World Cup (Source: Getty)

England v USA

Thursday 26 September, 11.45m UK time, Kobe Misaki Stadium, Kobe

The Japanese rugby side has played at the Kobe Misaki Stadium in the past (Source: Getty)

England v Argentina

Saturday 5 October, 9am UK time, Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo

The Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo is the second largest in the competition (Source: Getty)

England v France

Saturday 12 October, 09.15am UK time, International Stadium, Yokohama

With a 72,000 capacity the Yokohama International Stadium is the largest at the World Cup and will host the final (Source: Getty)

Other pool fixtures to look out for

Japan's curtain raiser

Friday 20 September, 11.45am UK time, Tokyo Stadium

France v Argentina - crucial for England

Saturday 21 September, 08.15am UK time, Tokyo Stadium

New Zealand v South Africa - southern hemisphere heavyweights meet

Saturday 21 September, 10.45am UK time, Yokohama International Stadium

Ireland v Scotland - Celtic clash

Sunday 22 September, 08.45am UK time, Yokohama International Stadium

Australia v Wales - potential pool decider

Sunday 29 September, 08.45am UK time, Tokyo Stadium

Japan v Scotland - can the hosts progress?

Sunday 13 October, 11.45am UK time, Yokohama International Stadium

The final

Saturday 2 November, 09.00am UK time, Yokohama International Stadium