Record Number Of Bids For Rugby World Cup

The International Rugby Board has confirmed that it has received a record number of bids from nations confirming their intention to host either the 2015 or 2019 Rugby World Cup.

The IRB, which is undertaking the tender process for both tournaments at the same time, has received 8 tender bids each for the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cups by the deadline of 30th September.

Australia, England, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Scotland, South Africa and Wales have confirmed their intention to tender for Rugby World Cup 2015, while Australia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Russia, Scotland, South Africa and Wales formally confirmed their commitment to host the 2019 tournament.

Each Union had six weeks to review in detail the Rugby World Cup tender document before formally expressing their intention to tender. Only Jamaica has opted not to continue with a bid to host a RWC tournament.

The 10 Unions now have until 8th May, 2009 to submit their detailed tender responses to Rugby World Cup Limited – the subsidiary IRB division that runs the tournament. The responses will then be reviewed by RWCL before the Tender Unions will be invited to make a presentation to the IRB Council in May 2009.

The host nations for Rugby World Cup 2015 and Rugby World Cup 2019 will be selected at a special meeting of the IRB Council on 28th July, 2009.