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Ireland, Scotland and Wales' Rugby World Cup fixtures, kick-off times and venues

Ireland come into the Rugby World Cup as Six Nations champions and want to make an impact in the tournament with Scotland eyeing an upset and Wales looking to respond after a poor year

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Ireland are the number one ranked side in the world ahead of the Rugby World Cup(Image: (Photo by Dan Mullan - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images))

Ireland go into the World Cup with huge optimism - which is more than can be said for Wales after a year to forget so far.

The home nations have endured very contrasting periods with the Six Nations highlighting where they are at. Ireland bagged a first Grand Slam since 2018 and are as well placed as ever to end their World Cup hoodoo with the nation never making it past the last eight.

Johnny Sexton's absence from the warm-up matches is a minor blow, but Andy Farrell's side look to be peaking at the right time and have claimed notable scalps over the past year. Scotland are bubbling away nicely, enjoying a promising Six Nations with Finn Russell pulling the strings.

[Finn Russell has been Scotland's leading light for a number of years]

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Finn Russell has been Scotland's leading light for a number of years

They failed to make it out of the pools in Japan four years ago and have been handed a shocking draw with this time round with both Ireland and South Africa for company. It will require an upset if they are to make the quarters, but Gregor Townsend will be confident they can make a charge.

Wales meanwhile, semi-finalists four years ago, have endured a steep decline. Warren Gatland left but has since returned to save a rugby nation that is in turmoil with the domestic game falling apart amid a mass exodus of their big names.

Gatland has worked wonders before but will need to produce all his magic and more. The Welsh were upset by Fiji in France 16 years ago with the Pacific Islanders advancing out of the pool at their expense - they will hope to avoid a repeat this time round.

[Wales have had 12 months to forget]

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Wales have had 12 months to forget

Their Six Nations form doesn't offer huge hope however with Wales losing four of their five games, shipping 69 points against Ireland and Wales whilst they were well beaten against France.

Ireland's World Cup fixtures

September 9 - Ireland v Romania, 2.30pm, Bordeaux

September 16 - Ireland v Tonga, 8pm, Nantes

September 23 - South Africa v Ireland, 8pm, Paris

October 7 - Ireland v Scotland, 8pm, Paris

Scotland's World Cup fixtures

September 10 - South Africa v Scotland, 4.45pm, Marseille

September 24 - Scotland v Tonga, 4.45pm, Nice

September 30 - Scotland v Romania, 8pm, Lille

October 7 - Ireland v Scotland, 8pm, Paris

Wales' World Cup fixtures

September 10 - Wales v Fiji, 8pm, Bordeaux

September 16 - Wales v Portugal, 4.45pm, Nice

September 24 - Wales v Australia, 8pm, Lyon

October 7 - Wales v Georgia, 2pm, Nantes

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