LONDON

Twickenham – The home of English rugby will host three group games, two quarter-finals, both semis and the October 31 final, when it joins Eden Park in Auckland as the only venues to have hosted two World Cup finals.

Capacity: 82,000

Wembley Stadium – The venue for New Zealand versus Argentina and Ireland against Romania in the pool stages. The stadium already boasts the world-record attendance for a club rugby match after 84,068 saw Saracens beat Harlequins earlier this year.

Capacity: 90,000

Olympic Stadium – The former London 2012 track will stage four group games as well as the third-place play-off. The World Cup will be one of the final events staged at the stadium before it is handed over to West Ham.

Capacity: 54,000

CARDIFF

Millennium Stadium – The only non-English venue, it will be put to good use with six pool matches and two quarter-finals. Wales will play two of their Pool A fixtures at home – but not against Australia after the Wallabies complained to the tournament organisers.

Capacity: 74,500

MANCHESTER

Manchester City Stadium – The former 2002 Commonwealth Games stadium will stage England versus Uruguay in the hosts’ final group game.

Capacity: 55,000

LEEDS

Elland Road – Scotland versus the United States and Italy’s clash with Canada will both take place at the home of Leeds United. Was one of eight grounds used at Euro ’96.

Capacity: 37,900

NEWCASTLE

St James’ Park – Travelling fans can expect the usual warm Geordie welcome when the city plays host to three pool games – including Scotland’s clashes with South Africa and Samoa.

Capacity: 52,400

LEICESTER

Leicester City Stadium – The closest tournament venue to the game’s birthplace in Rugby, Warwickshire, will stage three group fixtures.

Capacity: 32,250

BIRMINGHAM

Villa Park – England’s second city will see two pool matches, Australia versus Uruguay and the Springboks match with Samoa. The original stadium designs were drawn up by the famous architect Archibald Leith, whose credits also include Ibrox, Goodison and the old Highbury.

Capacity: 42,700

GLOUCESTER

Kingsholm – Scotland will kick-off their tournament at ‘Castle Grim’ when they play Japan, while it will stage three other early-round clashes. Fans will also be able to pop along to the nearby Gloucester Cathedral, where scenes from the Harry Potter films were shot.

Capacity: 16,500

EXETER

Sandy Park – Three games are scheduled for Exeter Chiefs’ home patch during the pool stage – nearby to where the last woman to be executed for witchcraft died in 1682.

Capacity: 12,300

MILTON KEYNES

Stadium MK – Another ground hosting three games in the pool stage. The 68million stadium has already staged a Heineken Cup quarter and semi-final.

Capacity: 30,500

BRIGHTON

Brighton Community Stadium – The Pool B matches involving South Africa against Japan and Samoa versus the United States are both scheduled for the south coast. Supporters will be able to lap-up the World Cup atmosphere at a fanzone based on Brighton beach.

Capacity: 30,750