Rugby World Cup

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) confirmed on Tuesday evening that they would be formally submitting a bid to the International Rugby Board (IRB) to host the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

RWC 2003 winners Lawrence Dallaglio OBE and Will Greenwood MBE have joined the bid team and, along with Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport Andy Burnham, will be part of a five-strong delegation presenting the government-backed proposal to the IRB Council in Dublin on May 13.

Her Majesty's Government and the RFU have agreed a support package that will enable the RFU to bid and the Rt Hon MP Andy Burnham said: "England 2015 would be a superb addition to a great decade of sport in Britain. The RFU has pulled together an outstanding bid that will take the game to new audiences. It has the Government's full support and we will now work with them to make the case for it."

The bid includes games at the biggest and best stadia in England and Wales and Dallaglio, who won 85 caps between 1995 and 2007, added: "Playing in the Rugby World Cup is every player's dream. I was fortunate to play in three and the drama created by the tournament can only be matched by the passion of people for sport in England. Putting the two together at world class venues like Twickenham, Wembley, Old Trafford and the Millennium Stadium will produce the ultimate rugby event."

The image of Greenwood embracing Jonny Wilkinson at the final whistle of the 2003 final in Sydney is etched in time and he said: "The whole nation was with us that night and when we got back you could see the impact that the World Cup had right across the country.

"New people were playing rugby in new places and, as with the 2012 Olympics, I am confident there will be a lasting legacy from hosting the 2015 World Cup."

England hosted RWC 1991 along with Ireland, Scotland, Wales and France and RFU Chief Executive Francis Baron OBE said: "We believe it is time that we brought the Tournament back to England and are confident we would be able to provide the best platform to profile the sport on the world stage and enable us to make a lasting commitment to grassroots rugby."

RFU