Rugby World Cup 2015 Venues Confirmed

Twickenham and the Olympic Stadium were the leading venues confirmed for the 2015 Rugby World Cup after organisers revealed the tournament schedule.

Hosts England will face the sole Oceania qualifier, likely to be Fiji, in the tournament's opening game at Twickenham, one of 10 games including both semi-finals and the final that will be held at the home of the Rugby Football Union.

Wales' Millennium Stadium will host eight matches, including two of their pool games but the meetings with England and Australia are bound for Twickenham.

The Olympic Stadium, the home of Premier League football club West Ham United in 2016, will host five matches including the third place play-off.

After criticism regarding the lack of rugby stadia on the long-list released last October, Gloucester's Kingsholm and Exeter Chief's Sandy Park are both included, but eight of the list are purely football stadiums.

Old Trafford, who withdrew its' nomination earlier this year, is replaced by the Etihad Stadium.

"The world can now start planning for Rugby World Cup 2015," said England Rugby 2015 chief executive Debbie Jevans.

"Today, we've brought the tournament to life, announcing the match venues and the full match schedule. In less than two and a half years' time, we will be welcoming the world to England and to a celebration of Rugby, played in a range of atmospheric stadiums right across the country."

"We are very grateful to all the cities and venues who have been part of the selection process for Rugby World Cup 2015. The support and interest shown by Coventry, Bristol, Derby, Southampton and Sunderland has been excellent and, whilst they have not been selected to host, we will continue to build upon the relationships forged throughout this process to ensure that these cities will still play a part in this truly nationwide tournament."

The 48 tournament matches take place across 18 September-31 October in 2015. Details regarding ticket prices will be released later this year, but organisers have pledged to keep the lowest ticket bracket at £7-£10.

Rugby World Cup Venues: Twickenham Stadium, Wembley Stadium, Olympic Stadium, Millennium Stadium, Etihad Stadium, St James' Park, Elland Road, King Power Stadium, Villa Park, Kingsholm Stadium, stadiummk, The American Express Community Stadium, Sandy Park.