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St Denis: Stade de France

Capacity: 80,000

RWC Fixtures

September 7: France v Argentina

September 14: England v South Africa

September 21: France v Ireland

October 7: Quarter-final

October 13: Semi-final

October 14: Semi-final

October 20: Final


The Stade de France was inaugurated on January 28, 1998 - for a France v Spain football international.


Although Les Bleus have recently won two Grand Slams at the venue, many French rugby supporters are still decidedly lukewarm toward the 80,000 capacity ground.


It was built for the football World Cup finals in 1998, and has a roof that covers six hectares and is illuminated for evening matches.


It took over from the Parc des Princes as the home of French rugby union and hosted the 2003 World Athletics Championships.


The stadium has superb transport links, and is served by two RER lines to central Paris.

Stuart Barnes Column

'It was almost like a football World Cup final, with Italy of old scoring early and then discarding their flair to trust their defence.' Read On

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