England will open their 2011 Rugby World Cup campaign with a clash against Argentina. Hosts New Zealand will play Tonga at Eden Park in Auckland to open the tournament on Friday 9 September.

As well as England facing the Pumas in Christchurch on 10 September, the opening weekend will also see reigning champions South Africa take on Wales in Wellington a day later. England will then face Scotland in a potential elimination decider in both countries' final pool match on Saturday, 1 October.

Scotland's first match will be against the play-off winner in Invercargill on September 10 and Ireland play the second Americas qualifier in New Plymouth the following day.

Thirteen venues have been chosen to host games throughout the tournament with Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch to host five pool matches. North Shore (Auckland), Hamilton, New Plymouth, Rotorua and Dunedin will host three games with two games to be played in Whangarei, Nelson, Palmerston North, Napier and Invercargill.

Wellington and Christchurch will also host two quarter-finals each. Last-eight matches involving teams from pools A and B will be played in Christchurch and those involving pools C and D will take place in Wellington. The semi-finals, bronze medal match and final will also be played at Eden Park.