WALES will attempt to avoid a banana skin when they get their 2023 World Cup under way against Fiji in Bordeaux.

Wayne Pivac's side face familiar foes after once again being drawn against the Fijians, who they face for the fifth consecutive tournament, and Australia, who they have played in four of the last five.

Wales kick off against Fiji in Bordeaux on Sunday, September 10 and, after playing a qualifier, lock horns against the Wallabies in Nice on Sunday, September 24.

They finish the group stages in Nantes against a European qualifier, which is likely to be Georgia.

Hosts France get things under way when they welcome three-time winners New Zealand to Paris on September 8.

England open up against Argentina while Scotland have champions South Africa first up, both matches at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille.

Ireland's quest to progress beyond the quarter-finals for the first time also starts in Bordeaux, where they will play a European qualifier on September 9.

Andy Farrell's men face the Springboks in Paris on September 23 and will then return to the Stade de France to complete their Pool B games against rivals Scotland on October 7.

Games will be played at nine venues across France.

The final – scheduled for Saturday, October 28 – the third-placed play-off, both semi-finals and two of the quarter-finals will be staged at the Stade de France.

Marseille will host the other two last-eight fixtures.

l Five Welsh players are chasing Olympics glory after being included in GB Sevens training squads.

Hannah Jones and Jasmine Joyce, who played at Rio 2016, are on the squad list along with Luke Morgan, Luke Treharne and Morgan Williams.

Jones and Joyce will also be eyeing places at the World Cup, which starts less than two months after the Olympic final in Tokyo.

Ospreys winger Morgan, a full Wales international, said: "The final goal will be to be in that 12-man squad to go to the Olympics.

"I missed out on the last one due to injury so there's a bit of past history there for me. But hopefully I can get in the best shape, give it my all and get that place on the plane to Tokyo."