Rugby World Cup

Simultaneous bids will be sought to host the Rugby Union World Cups in 2015 and 2019, International Rugby Board (IRB) president Bernard Lapasset said Tuesday.

The bidding process should be fixed by the end of 2008 with the choice of organiser for the 2015 edition expected to be decided by the end of 2009 or beginning of 2010, said Lapasset.

"I've asked that the candidates benefit from a time limit of one year to be able to work on and improve their bids," he explained.

Lapasset did not rule out that the choice of host for the 2019 edition would also be named at the same time as that for 2015.

"For the first time all the nations will receive a letter explaining the selection criteria with a view to the selection of a host country for the World Cup," he said.

Lapasset added that several countries had already shown their interest in hosting the 2015 event including Japan, Italy and England, who were considering whether to launch an English bid or a United Kingdom one.

AFP