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just a unified Japan but also the unity between Japan and the global game of rugby. At the same time, the dates for RWC 2019 were announced giving fans and unions the opportunity to start planning their experience. The opening match will take place on 20 September, kicking off six weeks of incredible rugby action, with the final on 2 November.And then, as 2015 drew to a close, details of the regional qualification process were announced. It is a process that gets underway in March 2016 and is designed to deliver the top 20 teams in the world to rugby’s showcase tournament, while promoting a pathway for all full member unions to qualify.With 12 teams – including hosts Japan – having secured their place at RWC 2019 courtesy of finishing in the top three of their respective pools, the remaining eight places will be determined by a process of regional and cross-regional qualifiers which will begin in 2016 and, for the first time, include a stand-alone round-robin repechage tournament to determine the final qualifier in 2018. All qualified teams will be known by November 2018.Sapporo Dome Sapporo CityKamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium Iwate PrefectureKamaishi CityKumagaya Rugby Ground Saitama Prefecture Kumagaya CityTokyo Stadium TokyoInternational Stadium Yokohama Kanagawa Prefecture / Yokohama CityOgasayama Sports Park Ecopa Stadium Shizuoka PrefectureToyota Stadium Aichi Prefecture / Toyota CityHanazono Rugby Stadium Osaka Prefecture / Higashi Osaka CityKobe City Misaki Park Stadium Kobe CityHakatanomori Football Stadium Fukuoka CityKumamoto Prefectural Athletic Stadium Kumamoto Prefecture / Kumamoto CityOita Stadium Oita PrefectureRWC 2019 VENUESYEAR IN REVIEW 2015 WORLD RUGBY 47