Rugby World Cup Reveals Training Bases

England has secured Pennyhill Park as the host nation’s main training base for the Rugby World Cup 2015, after event organisers unveiled the full list of team bases for the competition.

The search for Team Bases was launched via an open tender process in April 2013 and nearly 100 bids were received from across the country and in Wales.

A mix of rugby clubs, schools, colleges, universities and dedicated training facilities will be used by the 20 teams, taking the reach of the tournament even further, with eight bases selected for use during the knock out phase of the Tournament.

In total, Rugby World Cup organisers confirmed that 41 training bases will be used throughout the tournament in September and October next year.

As a result, England could even stay at their normal Surrey base for all but one fixture in the whole competition, should they top Pool A and progress to the final – staying in Salford for their final Pool A match on Saturday 10th October at the Manchester City Stadium – with the other three pool contests all taking place at Twickenham.

Wales will also have half of their Pool A preparations taking place at their usual home, The Vale Resort, while Scotland will rotate between Hartpury College, Leeds Metropolitan University, the University of Leeds and Newcastle Royal Grammar School; and Ireland will move bases between each fixture, making use of Celtic Manor in Newport, the FA’s centre of excellence St George’s Park, Surrey Sports Park and the Sport Wales National Centre.

Reigning world champions, New Zealand, will split their pool phase between The Lensbury and St Mary’s University in west London, the Sport Wales National Centre and Darlington Mowden Park.

The chief executive, Debbie Jevans, commented: ‘We are lucky to have some fantastic facilities right across the country and the enthusiasm to be part of the tournament has been really encouraging.’

‘We are confident that we now have 41 high-quality training environments which provide a home away from home for the teams.’

The International Rugby Board chairman, Bernard Lapasset, added: ‘The teams participating at England 2015 will have access to exceptional facilities the length and breadth of the host nation.’

‘It is the attention to detail on and off the field that will elevate this event to new levels.’