Eight countries bid to host World Cups

A record number of eight countries are bidding to host the 2015 World Cup, the International Rugby Board (IRB) said yesterday.

The eight nations confirming their intention to tender for the 2015 tournament were: Australia, England, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Scotland, South Africa and Wales.

Australia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Russia, Scotland, South Africa and Wales have also made bids for the 2019 event, following Tuesday's deadline.

Jamaica's unlikely bid was withdrawn.

"This strong response is unprecedented and truly reflects the global attraction of the rugby World Cup," IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset said.

For the first time, the IRB will award two tournaments at the same time, giving the successful bidders more planning time.

The decision will be announced in July 2009.

New Zealand, who hosted the first World Cup in 1987, will hold the next one in 2011 having controversially beaten off Japan in the vote in November 2005.