Four countries in running to host 2015 World Cup

England, Italy, Japan and South Africa will compete for the right to host the 2015 World Cup and all but England are also in the running for the 2019 event, the International Rugby Board (IRB) said.

Australia, Ireland and Scotland had also shown initial interest but withdrew before Friday's deadline due to financial pressures.

"The unprecedented response, a record for Rugby World Cup, reflects the growing global prestige of a tournament that is established as the world's third-largest sporting event," IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset said in a statement.

"The economic benefits to the host country are significant.

"An independent Deloitte report identified the total economic benefits as being up to 2.1 billion pounds ($3.16 billion) for the host nation while the promotion of the country, the rugby and sports legacy and the feel-good factor are also major attractions for hosting the World Cup.

"The France 2007 organising committee achieved a 70 million pounds tournament surplus and created 15 million pounds profit for investment in the game in France," added Lapasset.

The next phase of the tender process will see each of the unions outline their bid in a 30-minute presentation to the IRB Council in Dublin on May 13 and the final decision will be announced on July 28.

The IRB requires a fee of 80 million pounds for the 2015 tournament and 96 million pounds for 2019. The board also keeps all commercially generated revenue with the hosts retaining only ticket revenue.

South Africa has gone ahead with its bid after the newly-elected Jacob Zuma-led government agreed to underwrite the costs of staging the event while the British government has backed England's bid.

Italy's bid was also confirmed after the country's Senate approved a financial package.

It would use leading football stadiums and also hold games in Marseille, host of two quarter-finals in 2007.

Last month the government of Japan confirmed full support of its bid, with Prime Minister Taro Aso pledging his backing.

New Zealand will host the next World Cup in 2011.

South Africa hosted the 1995 tournament while England hosted in 1991 and held games in 1999, including both semi-finals.

Neither Japan nor Italy have hosted previously.