Argentina to begin RWC 2023 campaign against England in Marseille

The match schedule for RWC 2023 was announced this morning (Americas time) in Paris. It confirmed the dates and venues of the pool matches. The Americas will be represented by Argentina, Americas 1, Americas 2 and, potentially the Repechage Winner.

For the time being Argentina is the one confirmed participant from the Western Hemisphere. Argentina’s RWC 2023 campaign is to begin against England in Marseille. It will take place on September 09, or day two of the tournament.

The fixture will be a return for Los Pumas to the Stade Vélodrome. Argentina faced Namibia at the same venue at RWC 2007. On that occasion Felipe Contepomi scored 19 points in a 63-3 win. There were 30,000 Argentines in attendance.

Argentina vs England will be the last of four matches on day two of RWC 2023. The earlier fixtures are to be Italy vs Africa 1 in St. Etienne; Ireland vs Europe 2 in Bordeaux; and Australia vs Europe 1 in Paris.

Argentina’s match schedule is ideal from a structural standpoint. That is to say, Argentina will face the two toughest opponents in their first and final pool matches. The match order is England, Oceania 1, Americas 2, Japan.

Game two will be against Oceania 1 in Saint-Étienne on Friday, September 22. It will be the second match for both teams. The Oceania 1 qualifier (either Samoa or Tonga) will begin against Americas 2 (likely one of Canada, Uruguay, USA). That fixture will be played on Saturday, September 16 at Bordeaux.  In other words, Argentina will have just under two weeks before their opening two pool matches.

Argentina’s third and fourth pool matches will both be played in Nantes. The venue played host to France vs Argentina in 1988, 1992 and 1998. In 2023 Los Pumas will take on Americas 2 and Japan at the same venue.

Los Pumas vs Americas 2 will be played on Saturday, September 30. The final match will be on Sunday, October 08. The dates are spread; an outcome to correct mistakes from past RWCs. Unlike prior tournaments, teams will have a minimum of five rest days between matches.