WRU boss 'delighted' by bid inclusion

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The Rugby Football Union has confirmed it will make a government-backed pitch for the tournament, joining three other contenders - South Africa, Italy and Japan - with Cardiff's Millennium Stadium among the high-profile venues in the bid.

"I am delighted the Rugby Football Union has now confirmed their bid and declared that if they are successful matches will be played here in Wales," said Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Lewis.

The deadline for bids is this Friday, with presentations being made to the International Rugby Board Council in Dublin next Wednesday, followed by a decision during late July.

While the RFU are going it alone as potential hosts, Wales' Millennium Stadium is alongside the likes of Twickenham, Wembley and Old Trafford as venues that would be used in 2015.

"I have been involved in detailed discussions with senior representatives of the RFU, and the outcome will be great news for the rugby public of Wales if the bid succeeds," added Lewis.

"I know the RFU have worked hard on their proposal, and I can promise them that everyone involved in rugby in Wales would work tirelessly to ensure the competition is a massive success.

"It is a tribute to the status of the Millennium Stadium that its significance as a British sporting arena has been recognised by our involvement in this bid."

The RFU's Dublin-bound delegation next week will include 2003 World Cup winners Lawrence Dallaglio and Will Greenwood, plus Andy Burnham, the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport.

Only last week, RFU chief executive Francis Baron spoke of the "big, big commitment" to bid for rugby union's eighth global spectacular, underlined through the £80million guarantee demanded by the IRB. But the government and RFU have agreed a support package to make the bid possible.