RFU chief Francis Baron has vowed 'not to disappoint' following the IRB's decision to award England the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
RFU chief revelling in World Cup appointment
Rugby Football Union CEO Francis Baron has vowed 'not to disappoint' following the International Rugby Board's decision to award England the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
The delayed announcement was made on Tuesday with England beating off competition from Italy and South Africa to stage the event.
Speaking moments after the outcome, a delighted Baron said: "The RFU, and every rugby fan in England, will be thrilled that we have been chosen to host RWC 2015.
"This is a fantastic addition to the UK's Decade of World Sport which started this year with the Cricket 20/20 World Cup and which continues in 2010 with the Women's Rugby World Cup, followed by the Olympics in 2012 and now the Rugby World Cup in 2015.
"We have made a commitment to the IRB Council to host the most successful tournament ever, building on the outstanding success of France 2007 and what we are sure will be a great tournament in New Zealand in 2011.
"We will not disappoint them. We will host a festival of rugby that will fill our iconic stadia with excited fans and deliver a global platform for the game. We can't wait to get going and would like to thank the IRB Council for giving us this honour."
Best interests
The 2015 World Cup final will be staged at Twickenham - with the RFU having also reached agreement to use leading English football grounds including Wembley, Old Trafford, Anfield and the Emirates Stadium.
IRB chief executive Mike Miller confirmed England's plan to use the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff must still be ratified by the RWCL board - and that may not happen until next March.
The RFU must make a proposal to the IRB and provide a "compelling reason" for taking matches outside England.
Japan, who will be the first Asian country to host a Rugby Union World Cup in 2019, want to split a pool between Hong Kong and Singapore.
Miller said: "The vote was for matches in the host territory only. At the moment, it was just matches in England and in Japan.
"The host unions can come back to the Rugby World Cup board and if they want to propose matches in other territories we would look at it and see if it met certain criteria that are in the best interests of the game globally, if it enhances the showcase and if it could increase the finances.
"We have an open mind on it at the moment."
