May 09 (Japan Times) - Tuesday marked the 500-day mark before the opening of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, as scandals continue to plague the preparations for the tournament.
Twenty teams will compete across 12 venues in Japan when the competition kicks off on Sept. 20, 2019. However, the identity of Japan’s opponents in the opening game at Ajinomoto Stadium hinges on an investigation into player eligibility that could see Russia replace Romania as the top European qualifier.
The tournament, already overshadowed by the Tokyo Olympics the following year, has seen the venue for the Nov. 2 final moved to Yokohama — not even on the original shortlist of host cities — after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ordered the redrawing of plans for the new National Stadium due to soaring costs.
Additionally, the naming of training venues was delayed by eight months after many of the locations on the original list drawn up by the local organizing committee did not meet the required standard.
World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont, however, remained positive, saying Tuesday, “With 500 days to go preparations for Rugby World Cup 2019 are on track and moving forwards at a fast pace.â€
Organizers have started selling tickets and launched the recruitment process for some 10,000 volunteers for Asia’s first Rugby World Cup. Volunteer applications will run through July 18.
Construction or refurbishment of the 12 venues that will host a total of 48 matches is also well underway.
Source: Kyodo
