Christchurch was set to host England's opening game against Argentina

England will base themselves in three cities at this year's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand after having to change their plans to stay in Christchurch.

Christchurch was hit by an earthquake in February, and the city will not host matches or training bases.

Therefore, England will train in Auckland, Queenstown and Dunedin.

Dunedin will host England's first three pool games before Martin Johnson's men return to Auckland for the rest of their time in the tournament.

Dunedin's Otago Stadium will host England's three opening group fixtures in September - against Argentina, Georgia and Romania - and during that time England will train in the South Island city, with a five-day break in Queenstown between the Argentina and Georgia matches.

We feel that the schedule, which now sees us starting off in Auckland, is the best one for us Team manager Martin Johnson

Before and after that, though, Auckland will be England's main training base - and if the team manage to reach the knock-out stages starting on 8 October, through to the final on 23 October - the North Island city would most likely remain as such.

Team manager Martin Johnson said: "Our thoughts are still with the people of Christchurch as they rebuild and we were very much looking forward to being based there.

"When it was confirmed that would not be possible, we worked with the World Cup organisers on alternative bases and we would like to thank them for sorting things as quickly as possible, given the circumstances.

"We feel that the schedule, which now sees us starting off in Auckland, is the best one for us."

England's training base schedule
29/8: Depart England
31/8-4/9: Auckland
4/9-11/9: Dunedin
11/9-16/9: Queenstown
16/9-25/9: Dunedin
25/9 onwards: Auckland

England's pool match schedule
10/9: Argentina v England, Otago Stadium, Dunedin
18/9: England v Georgia, Otago Stadium, Dunedin
24/9: England v Romania, Otago Stadium, Dunedin
1/10: England v Scotland, Eden Park, Auckland

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