Rugby Union The big events
World Cup (Japan, Sept 20-Nov 2) Pool A SEPT 20 Japan v Russia (Tokyo, 11.45am).
22 Ireland v Scotland (Yokohama, 8.45am).
24 Russia v Samoa (Kumagaya, 11.15am).
28 Japan v Ireland (Shizuoka, 8.15am). 30 Scotland v Samoa (Kobe, 11.15am). OCT 3 Ireland v Russia (Kobe, 11.15am). 5 Japan v Samoa (Toyota, 11.30am). 9 Scotland v Russia (Shizuoka, 8.15am). 12 Ireland v Samoa (Fukuoka, 11.45am). 13 Japan v Scotland (Yokohama, 11.45am).
Pool B
SEPT 21 New Zealand v South Africa (Yokohama, 10.45am).
22 Italy v Namibia (Higashiosaka, 6.15am).
26 Italy v Canada (Fukuoka, 8.45am). 28 South Africa v Namibia (Toyota, 10.45am).
OCT 2 New Zealand v Canada (Oita, 11.15am).
4 South Africa v Italy (Shizuoka, 10.45am).
6 New Zealand v Namibia (Tokyo, 5.45am).
8 South Africa v Canada (Kobe, 11.15am).
12 New Zealand v Italy (Toyota, 5.45am).
13 Namibia v Canada (Kamaishi, 4.15am). Pool C SEPT 21 France v Argentina (Tokyo, 8.15am).
22 England v Tonga (Sapporo, 11.15am). 26 England v US (Kobe, 11.45am). 28 Argentina v Tonga (Higashiosaka, 5.45am).
OCT 2 France v US (Fukuoka, 8.45am). 5 England v Argentina (Tokyo, 9am). 6 France v Tonga (Kumamoto, 8.45am). 9 Argentina v US (Kumagaya, 5.45am). 12 England v France (Yokohama, 9.15am).
13 US v Tonga (Higashiosaka, 6.45am). Pool D SEPT 21 Australia v Fiji (Sapporo, 5.45am).
23 Wales v Georgia (Toyota, 11.15am). 25 Fiji v Uruguay (Kamaishi, 6.15am). 29 Georgia v Uruguay (Kumagaya, 6.15am).
29 Australia v Wales (Tokyo, 8.45am). OCT 3 Georgia v Fiji (Higashiosaka, 6.15am).
5 Australia v Uruguay (Oita, 6.15am). 9 Wales v Fiji (Oita, 10.45am). 11 Australia v Georgia (Shizuoka, 11.15am).
13 Wales v Uruguay (Kumamoto, 9.15am).
Qtr-finals
OCT 19 Winner C v Runner-up D (Oita, 8.15am).
19 Winner B v Runner-up A (Tokyo, 11.15am).
20 Winner D v Runner-up C (Oita, 8.15am).
20 Winner A v Runner-up B (Tokyo, 11.15am). Semi-finals OCT 26 Winner QF1 v Winner QF2 (Yokohama, 9am).
27 Winner QF3 v Winner QF4 (Yokohama, 9am).
Third-place play-off NOV 1 Tokyo (9am). Final NOV 2 Yokohama (9am). All times UK (clocks go back on Oct 27) Club finals
MAY 10 European Challenge Cup final
(St James’ Park, Newcastle). 11 Heineken Champions Cup final (St James’ Park). 25 Guinness Pro14 final (Celtic Park, Glasgow). JUNE 1 Gallagher Premiership final (Twickenham).
Guinness Six Nations FEB 1 France v Wales (Stade de France, 8pm). 2 Scotland v Italy (BT Murrayfield, 2.15), Ireland v England (Aviva Stadium, 4.45). 9 Scotland v Ireland (BT Murrayfield, 2.15), Italy v Wales (Stadio Olimpico, 4.45). 10 England v France (Twickenham, 3). 23 France v Scotland (Stade de France, 2.15), Wales v England (Principality Stadium, 4.45). 24 Italy v Ireland (Stadio Olimpico, 3).
MARCH 9 Scotland v Wales (BT Murrayfield, 2.15), England v Italy (Twickenham, 4.45).
10 Ireland v France (Aviva Stadium, 3). 16 Italy v France (Stadio Olimpico, 12.30), Wales v Ireland (Principality Stadium, 2.45), England v Scotland (Twickenham, 5).