Ten In Frame For Rugby World Cup

The International Rugby Board has announced that a record 10 national unions have expressed an interest in hosting the Rugby World Cup in either 2015 or 2019.

England is among those who have declared an interest in bidding for the tournament in 2015 with Australia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Scotland, South Africa and Wales also in the running.
 
Australia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Russia, Scotland, South Africa and Wales are keen on hosting rugby’s flagship event in 2019.

South Africa are the World Cup holders, while New Zealand are the 2011 hosts.

‘This is tremendous news for Rugby World Cup,’ IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset said.

‘The fact that 10 member unions have signalled their intention to tender for the 2015 and 2019 tournaments reflects the growing global prestige of the Rugby World Cup.

‘The IRB Council will announce the RWC 2015 and 2019 host unions in July 2009, six years prior to the first tournament and 10 years prior to the 2019 event.’