After 2011, lets think to 2015.

I think that a celtic bid (Ireland with assistance of Scotland and Walles) could be a good idea. Japan or Canada would be greath too.
England is the front runner but can England host Olympics 2012, Rugby World Cup 2015 and World Cup 2018 ?

Umm ... I think a joint Celtic bid would do it for me. The British Isles but not directly England.

The USA

I'd like it to be Argentina or Japan.

Now that we know that New Zealand will host the 2011 World Cup, who do you think will win the rights for 2015?

Now that we know that New Zealand will host the 2011 World Cup, who do you think will win the rights for 2015?

I honestly don't know.

I feel it ought to go to a non-traditional country. Perhaps Japan, Argentina or USA/Canada.

Having said that, the lure of profits will be very strong so England or SA will be in with a great chance. By that time SA could well be in the 6(7?)Nations.

Scotland has no chance BTW. grounds are poor quality and crowds, even for high profile internationals are bad. Remember the 1999 RWC games at Murrayfield?

when was the last time England held it? we are probably have had the longest wait to hold it out of all the major rugby countries but maybe it should go to a non traditional country. I'd say Italy since 2011 is in the Pacific.

England because we invented the sport and are current World Champions.

when was the last time England held it? we are probably have had the longest wait to hold it out of all the major rugby countries but maybe it should go to a non traditional country. I'd say Italy since 2011 is in the Pacific.

England were main hosts in 1991, although 25 of the 32 games were held in France, Ireland, Scotland or Wales, and hosted 9 of the 41 games in 1999 when Wales were the main hosts. They bid to be sole hosts in 2007, but were beaten by France, who agreed to let Ireland, Scotland and Wales host games.

Most people agree that the two best World Cups to date are the ones hosted by a single union, i.e. South Africa in 1995 and Australia in 2003.

England could be a good choice...but I don't think England will host OG 2012, RWC 2015 and WC 2018. Scotland is too small to host all the RWC by itself: I hope about a "celtic bid" with Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

England could be a good choice...but I don't think England will host OG 2012, RWC 2015 and WC 2018. Scotland is too small to host all the RWC by itself: I hope about a "celtic bid" with Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

That'd be 6 votes sewn up in an instant. For 2015 the Saffies can forget about getting any votes from developing rugby nations so a Celtic RWC could be a very good possibility.

Japan would be a great way to expand the sport in non-traditional areas. It's not been in South Africa either (or Scotland)...

Yeah it has! have you forgotten the priceless moment went SA won on home soil with Mandela (relatively newly elected) presenting the trophy. for South Africans it must have been a truly special moment.

yeh back in 95 was great for us in South Africa! I agree with the comment that best WC's are those held by one union. The biggest problem i have is the constant sharing that goes on in the uk/france. By wales hosting it, all the other nations got a finger in the pie...so too with france 2007...it kinda kills the atmosphere of the competition and also secures the WC for the uk/france on a much much more regular basis than need be.

I was a supporter of Japan for 2011 (i know i should support my home SA, but u gotta move the game on). I was deadly disapointed that its going to NZ, for i dont think that will do any good for the game. I hope they can pull it off...but i'm having doubts....supporting infrastructure will be a prob i feel.

But thats not the point of this forum. In 2015 i think Japan will stand a good chance. they will have bidding experience and a better time frame to work on their grassroots rugga. I dont think italy will be an option, for i can see that leading to a co share with the uk and france, which wont serve any good.

The US seems posible, but unlikely, for the game is hardly widespread, and distances to travel for venues will be vast....and since the RWC aint on the same scale as soccer, it will be lost in the host nation and the atmosphere wont be conducive to a successful games.

I would love it to travel to Argentina...that should be another potential bidder...

I do feel that SA will bid again, for by 2015 it would have been 20 years since we hosted it....thats a long time....so our turn would have to be coming soon...

England or Australia to host. Possibly Japan if they start improving.

They probably will if they get Eddie Jones to lead them.

Scotland, because apart from England they are the most passionate about the sport, and England has too many sporting events going on in the next decade anyway.

as was said before...scotland is so small...

And oz just had the comp....

It should go to Japan this time, indefinitely! If England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, keep hosting the events, how on earth will they expect the game to reach a greater international presence? Japan is the ideal country to host such an event! It would bring huge fame to the game, and the Rugby world would finally have a new country to its list. Get out of the square you all live in! It's about time the game was branched out somewhere else!

England or Australia to host. Possibly Japan if they start improving.

They probably will if they get Eddie Jones to lead them.
RWC 2011 will take place in New Zealand.
So, I think that RWC 2015 should take place in Europe: England, Celtic bid or maybe Italy. I'm sorry for Japan, Canada, USA or Argentina but they will probabilly have to wait for 2019.

Its too easy to just want it in Japan.

The problem with Japan is empty stadiums. They didnt fill venues for the football world cup so what will happen with rugby.
The british teams will no doubt bring huge numbers of fans but how many others will
There is not a lot of globalising in playing games in completly empty stadiums. I would say there is a very big chance that not only most games but even a big game like nz v saf could be played in front of far from capacity crowds and that will really hurt the cup.

I would give it to Japan if they adress this issue.

then why not think argentina....do they have no interest in hosting it?

After reading much of the highly debated 2018 WC threads I began to think about the World's 3rd largest sporting tournament, the Rugby World Cup. The RWC continues to grow at an exciting rate with the last Cup in France averaging 47 150 in attendance each game, almost 9000 more than 2003.

The Rugby WC has been now been played in all the tradtional powers of the game and New Zealand will host again in 2011 (no doubt the last time they will be able to host it alone). 2015 and onwards the International Rugby Board will be looking into developmental territory to host. Many were upset that Japan lost the bid for 2011.

I'm keen to discuss who could successfully host a RWC outside of the traditional powers and support it with the high standards which it expects. 20 teams, minimum of 8 stadiums, and I believe that now they must have over 20 000 seats and the semi's and final must seat 60 000+.

note; the IRB has yet to sanction the use of artificial turf in International test matches. This would no doubt affect a North American bid, though I believe that Artificial turf will be acceptable by 2015.

The most likely nations would be Argentina, Japan, Italy, the US and Canada.
After a long look at American and Canadian stadiums and assuming artificial turf is acceptable; these are the stadiums that look as if they could fit the minimum dimensions for International Rugby Union (127 yds / 74.4 yds or 116m / 67m) remebering that the Rugby pitch is around 20 yards wider than American Football and that many North American stadiums have a high side line fence (to look over the players bench) which may inhibit sightlines of the try (touchdown) corner flags.

Perfect venues;
Stanford Stadium, Cal
Rentschler Field, Conn
Rutgers Stadium, NJ
University Stadium, Albuquerque NM
BC Place, BC
Commonwealth Stadium, Alberta

Questionable venues;
(maybe field not big enough)
Columbus Crew Stadium, Ohio
Princeton Stadium, NJ
Pizzahut Park, TX
Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Col

(Capacity too big and/or no potential for local support)
Kyle Field, TX
Miami Stadium, Fl
Citrus Bowl, Fl
Memorial Stadium, Illinois
Jordan Hare Stadium, Al

(Possible sightline problems, thoguh I imagine one of these places would host the final)
Quest Field, Wash (designed with Soccer dimensions)
Gillette Stadium, Mass (as above)
Rogers Centre, Ont
Qualcomm Stadium, Cal
Rose Bowl, Cal

(any chance of Louisiana and the likes getting behind Les Bleus/Les tricolores, you know, the French connection):dunno:

I really cant see artificial turf being ever allowed in rugby to be honest.

the World's 3rd largest sporting tournament, the Rugby World Cup.

is it f**k :nuts:

I really cant see artificial turf being ever allowed in rugby to be honest.

Anyone that has ever played the game will agree with you. Any kind of artificial surface would tear a rugby player to shreds.

After New Zealand in 2011, I find it difficult to see beyond some kind of Celtic Nations bid, especially given the way voting went for 2011. I think we're really dealing with competitions from 2019 onwards. Canada has done a good job hosting various rugby tournaments including the Churchill Cup and the 2006 Women's Rugby World Cup. Rugby fans in Canada have shown, time and time again, that there is a market for the sport. With the Canada team continuously improving, I think it must have a decent shout.

Similarly, the sport has grown well in Japan and that must be an option. Apparently, at least some Japanese are totally mad for rugby and having seen crowds at international games in Japan against bigger nations - in 2005, big crowds came out for both of Ireland's tests. With stadia like Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium and Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, not to mention the stadia we saw at the 2002 football world cup, there is little doubt about the capacity for Japan to hold a successful Rugby World Cup and would also provide a means for the IRB to potentially grow the sport in east Asia.

There are plenty of other countries capable of hosting the tournament. I think it would be a great opportunity for a county like Italy, where the sport really seems to be taking off with the improved fortunes of the international side, as well as countries like Spain, Portugal, Romania or Georgia where the sport has come a long way in recent times. That's not to mention China and the USA...

Ultimately, I'd love to see Canada given the opportunity in 2015. The contribution Canada has made to hosting lower levels of the sport in recent times is impressive and makes it an ideal and deserving host for the full tournament.

Argentina is also an option, especially with the growing support of the national team, given recent success.

I can't see any more than one in three tournaments not being held in the traditional strongholds of international rugby for quite some time. As such, something like:

2011 - New Zealand
2015 - Celtic Nations - final in either Ireland or Scotland
2019 - Canada
2023 - South Africa - working on a round robin of tri-nations countries
2027 - Europe - Italy / Spain / Portugal etc.
2031 - Japan
2035 - Australia
2039 - Argentina
2043 - England

^^^^^^^^^^^^^
good list

After reading much of the highly debated 2018 WC threads I began to think about the World's 3rd largest sporting tournament, the Rugby World Cup. The RWC continues to grow at an exciting rate with the last Cup in France averaging 47 150 in attendance each game, almost 9000 more than 2003.

The Rugby WC has been now been played in all the tradtional powers of the game and New Zealand will host again in 2011 (no doubt the last time they will be able to host it alone). 2015 and onwards the International Rugby Board will be looking into developmental territory to host. Many were upset that Japan lost the bid for 2011.

I'm keen to discuss who could successfully host a RWC outside of the traditional powers and support it with the high standards which it expects. 20 teams, minimum of 8 stadiums, and I believe that now they must have over 20 000 seats and the semi's and final must seat 60 000+.

note; the IRB has yet to sanction the use of artificial turf in International test matches. This would no doubt affect a North American bid, though I believe that Artificial turf will be acceptable by 2015.

The most likely nations would be Argentina, Japan, Italy, the US and Canada.
After a long look at American and Canadian stadiums and assuming artificial turf is acceptable; these are the stadiums that look as if they could fit the minimum dimensions for International Rugby Union (127 yds / 74.4 yds or 116m / 67m) remebering that the Rugby pitch is around 20 yards wider than American Football and that many North American stadiums have a high side line fence (to look over the players bench) which may inhibit sightlines of the try (touchdown) corner flags.

Perfect venues;
Stanford Stadium, Cal
Rentschler Field, Conn
Rutgers Stadium, NJ
University Stadium, Albuquerque NM
BC Place, BC
Commonwealth Stadium, Alberta

Questionable venues;
(maybe field not big enough)
Columbus Crew Stadium, Ohio
Princeton Stadium, NJ
Pizzahut Park, TX
Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Col

(Capacity too big and/or no potential for local support)
Kyle Field, TX
Miami Stadium, Fl
Citrus Bowl, Fl
Memorial Stadium, Illinois
Jordan Hare Stadium, Al

(Possible sightline problems, thoguh I imagine one of these places would host the final)
Quest Field, Wash (designed with Soccer dimensions)
Gillette Stadium, Mass (as above)
Rogers Centre, Ont
Qualcomm Stadium, Cal
Rose Bowl, Cal

(any chance of Louisiana and the likes getting behind Les Bleus/Les tricolores, you know, the French connection):dunno:

i think you have some of the sizes of fields mixed up

is it f**k :nuts:

i think its

1. football world cup
2. olympics
3. european football championships
4. rugby world cup
5.copa america ????

italy/portugal/spain etc won't host the rwc for a very long time. rugby isn't even professional in spain/portugal

it basically alternates between europe and the southern hemisphere although japan could get one really soon

don't think canada would have the interest

i think you have some of the sizes of fields mixed up
If your refering to the soccer specific stadiums, I just don't know if they have the extended length for the ingoal area (endzone).

i think its

1. football world cup
2. olympics
3. european football championships
4. rugby world cup
5.copa america ????
Nope, apparently the Rugby World Cup IS the 3rd last sporting tournament.

About the Artificial Turf, the IRB continues to investigate the product, obviously we are not talking about Astroturf. On their website under regulations or Laws there is an indepth PDF on the topic and were they are headed with it. The New Zealand All Blacks already have a training centre with artificial turf instald. I Canada was to ever host a Cup, I imagine that artificial turf would play a part as the country doesn't have enogh large natural grass venues.

If your refering to the soccer specific stadiums, I just don't know if they have the extended length for the ingoal area (endzone).

well not just those, but some of the stadiums you listed have about the same dimensions as any other american stadium.

i think its

1. football world cup
2. olympics
3. european football championships
4. rugby world cup
5.copa america ????

define largest? attendance? revenue? most watched on tv?

technically the commnwealth games is the 2nd largest after the olympics..

the ryder cup has billed itself as being in the top 5 in the past..

personally i'd go with your top 3,maybe swap the olympics & FIFA WC around...but i'm struggling to put the RUWC in the top 5 let alone the top 3..

define largest? attendance? revenue? most watched on tv?


Good point.
Well in attendance the last Rugby World Cup averaged 47150, the last 4 have averaged 40623, all up it has averaged 30336.

Had a cumulative world televison audience of over 3.5 billion, watched in 205 countries in 2003, don't know about 2007 but assume more considering everything else grew.

Don't know about revenue.

http://www.austrade.gov.au/From-the-World-Trade-Organisation-to-the-Rugby-World-Cup-how-the-Wallabies-can-help-Australia-exports/default.aspx

I my part of the world it is commonly stated as the third biggest sports event behind the soccer WC and the Olympics. Australia dominate the commonwealth games and it has never been said to currently rival the Rugby World Cup.

2011 - New Zealand
2015 - Celtic Nations - final in either Ireland or Scotland
2019 - Canada
2023 - South Africa - working on a round robin of tri-nations countries
2027 - Europe - Italy / Spain / Portugal etc.
2031 - Japan
2035 - Australia
2039 - Argentina
2043 - England

Ooooh, can I play?

2011 - New Zealand
2015 - Japan
2019 - South Africa
2023 - Scotland
2027 - Australia
2031 - England
2035 - Argentina
2039 - Italy
2043 - South Africa

CharlieP, what's the dimensions for rugby field? What I mean by rugby here is a representative of the sports where they play the game with an oval shaped ball using their hands from rugby union(?) to Australian football(?) - I just have a rough idea that there are many kinds of hand-using ball sports on earth but don't know what exactly. Probably can you answer the question sport by sport?

PS) Exclude American football. I know the field dimensions of American football

CharlieP, what's the dimensions for rugby field? What I mean by rugby here is a representative of the sports where they play the game with an oval shaped ball using their hands from rugby union(?) to Australian football(?) - I just have a rough idea that there are many kinds of hand-using ball sports on earth but don't know what exactly. Probably can you answer the question sport by sport?

The maximum dimensions in rugby union are 100 x 70 metres for the pitch - 144 x 70 metres including the in-goal areas. I'm not sure what the minimum dimensions are. Rugby league is similar but with smaller in-goal areas, and Australian Rules Football is played on large oval pitches, usually shared with cricket.

Thank you for the explantions, ChalieP. You are really cool with great sense of humor :okay:

italy/portugal/spain etc won't host the rwc for a very long time. rugby isn't even professional in spain/portugal

it basically alternates between europe and the southern hemisphere although japan could get one really soon


it isn´t professional in Argentina either, but it was on the first proposed list, and ended 3rd in the last world cup....

minimum in goals are 10 metres

normally they're around 15

it isn´t professional in Argentina either, but it was on the first proposed list, and ended 3rd in the last world cup....

i didn't think about that, sorry

argentina deserves a world cup because they've got the infrastructure and the passion for rugby whereas other amateur nations don't

Yes Canada! I actually want to attend a Canada-Argentina match tomorrow but I might not have the time! AHHHH! :gah:

italy/portugal/spain etc won't host the rwc for a very long time. rugby isn't even professional in spain/portugal

it basically alternates between europe and the southern hemisphere although japan could get one really soon

don't think canada would have the interest

I disagree with you on Italy - I think the extra seating brought in at the Stadio Flaminio this year for the games against England and Scotland are testament to how the game is growing in Italy. I also think the traveling support from British and Irish sides when they've drawn Italian sides in the Heineken Cup, not to mention in the 6 Nations (mostly proved, I think, by the massive percentage of Irish fans in Rome on St. Patrick's Day 2007) proves that the traveling support is there to make the tournament a big success. I'd say Italy will have a strong shout, especially if we're dealing with 2027 onwards.

The game isn't professional in Spain or Portugal yet but both are big growth / potential growth markets for the game. Portugal, especially, have come a long way on the pitch in the past few years and their support has increased considerably. From my own experiences, there is a lot of passion for the sport in Spain and, again, that will grow with improved onfield performances from the Spanish side. Both of these nations have put up good showings in a couple of 7s tournaments this season.

As I said on Canada; I think the contribution this nation has made to hosting the lower levels of international tournament in the past few years and the crowds that have come out for those indicate that there is a market for the sport in Canada. The Canadian team has improved considerably in recent times. If Canada can coax one of the big Northern Hemisphere sides to come play a couple of tests in Canada during the Lions Tour next summer, a la Japan v Ireland in 2005 then I think we'll really see the kind of support rugby can generate in Canada.

The said, in reflection and with reference to my original list, it would be more realistic for Japan in 2019 and Canada in 2031.

Charlie, I can't see England hosting a tournament before Ireland have hosted a final, to be honest - it will have been a long time since England hosted a final by the time it gets another chance but the history of Rugby World Cups in the UK and Ireland are such that a nation puts on the final and stadia come from all around the country. I'd say Ireland will be offered the chance to host the final before England are again. Although, given the relatively low capacity of the new Lansdowne Road and the relatively huge capacity of Croke Park, a final could pose an interesting dilemma for the IRFU. I agree, however, that Scotland will probably be the next official hosts of the rugby world cup from the Celtic Nations.

Artifitial turf is even anoying in football, when u slide takle of fall down.

seeing as how the irbs power base is in the northern hemisphere it is almost certian that either the 2015 or 2019 world cup will be in europe. rugby is a growing game and while a world cup in somewhere like canada/usa is not going to happen in the short term it could well happen in the long run.
artificial turf is here to stay and will appear in rugby world cups, artificial turf is used in places in the usa (entirely colleges just using football facilities, but does show that it can be used) and we could well see artificial turf in the 2011 world cup in dunedin

depends on the type of artificial turf

the one that was used in moscow might be allowed, but the american plastic ones are just too dangerous.

depends on the type of artificial turf

the one that was used in moscow might be allowed, but the american plastic ones are just too dangerous.

the stuff in moscow is the exact same stuff used in the US

seeing as how the irbs power base is in the northern hemisphere it is almost certian that either the 2015 or 2019 world cup will be in europe. rugby is a growing game and while a world cup in somewhere like canada/usa is not going to happen in the short term it could well happen in the long run.
artificial turf is here to stay and will appear in rugby world cups, artificial turf is used in places in the usa (entirely colleges just using football facilities, but does show that it can be used) and we could well see artificial turf in the 2011 world cup in dunedin

what do you mean about colleges? I dont understand

colleges with rugby teams use football facilities due to a lack of resources, as one would expect for a sport with such a small following

the rugby world cup won't be in the usa or canada for a while because theres not enough public interest

that was probably the reason why japan failed.

the rugby world cup won't be in the usa or canada for a while because theres not enough public interest

that was probably the reason why japan failed.

probably. i think the IRB likes to stick to its more stable markets like NZ, England, South Africa, Australia and mainland Europe.

Personally i think we will see SA, Aus, British Isles and Japan host a RWC before the US/Canada.

as for the events size...taking into account audience, crowds, marketing etc it certainly slots in 3rd. Olympic Games, FWC, IRB RWC, Commonwealth Games, Euro, ICC CWC.

It's difficult to judge the "size" of the winter Olympics. It really depends on the host nation ie; the US (SLC) compared to Lillehammer (Norway) or Turin (Italy).

south africa/japan 2015
england 2019

south africa/japan 2015
england 2019

either japan or south africa? or hosted together (:lol:)

Japan is very serious about rugby. They were terribly disappointed having lost to NZ for RWC 2011 (which was couped!). Japan should get it next time round. Then, Id like to see go to Argentina, Italy and Germany. The Rugby giants (SA, Austr, NZ, UK, France) should step aside and assist the smaller countries in hosting the event.

One question. Is there any professional league of rugby in USA?

One question. Is there any professional league of rugby in USA?
No, not of either code. Most people don't even realize the difference anyway.

I really think it should go to Argentina at some point. I don't know how big the sport is their or if it has a Rugby Union league set up, but this country's Rugby is on the up and up so they should be contenders.

No, not of either code. Most people don't even realize the difference anyway.

The Super Rugby League is a semi-pro union league in the US...its not very popular, and im sure most have never heard of it

I really think it should go to Argentina at some point. I don't know how big the sport is their or if it has a Rugby Union league set up, but this country's Rugby is on the up and up so they should be contenders.

rugby is an amateur game in argentina but i think it's pretty popular, especially if the national team is winning. i think the match between boca and river plate was moved so that ppl could watch both the derby and the semi final involving argentina and south africa

The Super Rugby League is a semi-pro union league in the US...its not very popular, and im sure most have never heard of it
I just heard of it a couple weeks back when the final was aired live on ESPN Classic. It looks decent, but I prefer league from the clips I've seen from Australia and England. That seems like a more exciting game. It would have a better chance of catching on over here, if anything.

Where is "here"?

Where is "here"?
The United States. Sorry, I kinda continued from the post about the Super Rugby League so I assumed my location was established. I don't mean to be US-centric.

If you get the chance, the highest level of rugby played annually is the Tri-Nations starts in a few weeks.
It's between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and often produces spectacular matches.
The European equivalent, the 6 Nations, between France, Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland and Italy starts in January and is frequently highly entertaining. You see huge travelling support with the teams with many spectators enjoying a weekend away in PAris, London, Dublin, Cardiff, Rome and Edinburgh. The distances are relatively short and travel cheap which results in the smaller cities having a party atmosphere for the games. The large sizes of London and Paris tend to dilute the ambiance somewhat.

The European equivalent, the 6 Nations, between France, Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland and Italy starts in January and is frequently highly entertaining.

February, you mean. :)

rugby is geared towards the world cup these so the upcoming tests probably wont be as of such a high standard

they're also experimenting with the elvs

It is a 'done' deal the RWC is off to Japan in 2015.

What would we do, have it at Twickenham again?

scotland or ireland could host the final?

I could see a joint Celtic bid ignoring England, final probably in Cardiff. 2 groups each in Scotland/Ireland with Wales having just one and the opening game/final. Semis in Dublin/Edinburgh

a final at landsdowne road or murrayfield would be more likely, afterall wales did host the 1999 final

True enough, but they only have 1 1/2 stadiums so would not be able to host as many games as the other 2. Besides, they have better rugby tradition. Plus, it's closer for English supporters.

England and Wales look likely to bid for the 2015 event:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7496251.stm

England and Wales look likely to bid for the 2015 event:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7496251.stm

If that happens it is a travesty for world rugby BOTH Wales and Englad have hosted a final before it should simply not happen.

If there is a RWC to be held again in the British Isles, the tournament should be either a joint Ireland / Scotland tournament or it should be held in Great Britain with the final at Murrayfield!

I gather the IRB expect the NZ WC 2011 to make a loss so to re-balance the books they want a guaranteed profit in 2015. That points to a WC in England. Looking good for the golden decade.

Olympics - 2012
Commonwealth Games - 2014
Rugby WC - 2015
Euro2016 - 2016
Football WC - 2018
Cricket WC - 2019
Wimbledon - 2010-2019(!)

Plus no doubt at least one each Champions League final and UEFA Cup final.

I gather the IRB expect the NZ WC 2011 to make a loss so to re-balance the books they want a guaranteed profit in 2015. That points to a WC in England. Looking good for the golden decade.

Olympics - 2012
Commonwealth Games - 2014
Rugby WC - 2015
Euro2016 - 2016
Football WC - 2018
Cricket WC - 2019
Wimbledon - 2010-2019(!)

Plus no doubt at least one each Champions League final and UEFA Cup final.

I'd prefer South Africa 2015, England 2019 after the world cup meaning they could use all the upgraded venues too and have massive year in 2019.

The Italian federation are interested in bidding for either 2015 or 2019:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7516262.stm

I'd prefer South Africa 2015, England 2019 after the world cup meaning they could use all the upgraded venues too and have massive year in 2019.

that would be a good idea but remember the irb were reluctant to hold a rugby world cup in south africa so soon after the football world cup

that would be a good idea but remember the irb were reluctant to hold a rugby world cup in south africa so soon after the football world cup

thats why i used "prefer".

I gather the IRB expect the NZ WC 2011 to make a loss so to re-balance the books they want a guaranteed profit in 2015. That points to a WC in England. Looking good for the golden decade.

Olympics - 2012
Commonwealth Games - 2014
Rugby WC - 2015
Euro2016 - 2016
Football WC - 2018
Cricket WC - 2019
Wimbledon - 2010-2019(!)

Plus no doubt at least one each Champions League final and UEFA Cup final.

Although I want Euro 2016 to be hosted in Scotland, I don't think they will get it if England are awarded W.C 2018, I would have thought other European nations to kick up a fuss as the 2 biggest football tournaments would be hosted within 2 years effectively in the same country.

However if all these tournaments were to be awarded to Scotland, England etc then it would start a huge stadium upgrade all over the country, which is a good thing.

I have a question, if Scotland were to go for both Euro 2016 and the 2014 Rugby World Cup, which tournament if any, would it want to co-host with either Wales or Ireland? Or do you think Scotland could host them both alone?

Regarding the possibility of a US RWC bid, yes, plainly the requirement of natural turf is a given, which would preclude a number of NFL stadia. Back in the 1994 FIFA WC, the following venues were used:

Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA, 91,000
Silverdome, Pontiac, MI, 80,000
Stanford Stadium, Stanford, CA, 80,000
Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ, 77,000
Citrus Bowl, Orlando, FL, 70,000
Soldier Field, Chicago, IL, 67,000
Cotton Bowl, Dallas, TX, 67,000
Foxboro Stadium, Foxboro, MA, 61,000
RFK Stadium, Washington, DC, 57,000

I'm not suggesting that precisely these venues should be used, but it does illustrate how easily such a tournament could be accommodated using venues with suitable surfaces and palying areas - although as I remember, the Silverdome was temporarily turfed for the WC instead if its usual artificial turf.

Interestingly, I remember that the groups and venues were drawn to maximise national sympathies - as an earlier poster suggested for the RWC. Italy were drawn to play in NY/NJ and Germany in Chicago - although I'd never known until then that Chicago had a particularly high German ex-pat population.

I have a question, if Scotland were to go for both Euro 2016 and the 2014 Rugby World Cup, which tournament if any, would it want to co-host with either Wales or Ireland? Or do you think Scotland could host them both alone?

The chances of Scotland being able to host the Euros, even in their current format, as a sole bidder are pretty low. At the moment, Scotland have four stadia, of which only three would be usable, that meet minimum standards for hosting the Euros. As three are in Glasgow, one of Celtic Park, Hampden Park and Ibrox wouldn't be able to be used. The other stadium is Murrayfield.

The capacity at Pittodrie, Aberdeen's stadium, is just over 22,000, so a 30,000 plus capacity redevelopment may not be too far into the realms of fantasy. Due to roads on two sides of the stadium, redevelopment is limited and a rebuild would probably be required. I can't see this being desirable to the club.

Inverness and Dundee seem like other obvious host cities but neither city has any requirement for a long-term 30,000 seat stadium. The two teams in Dundee have stadia with capacities of 12,000 and 14,000. Even for Dundee and Dundee United to share a 30,000 capacity stadium seems infeasible. Inverness Caledonian Thistle currently play in a stadium with a capacity of under 8,000. A 30,000 stadium there is ridiculous. Perth may be another option but again, the 30,000 capacity is unrealistic; current capacity at McDiarmid Park is just over 10,000

The final host city could be a complete mystery; geographic spread would suggest that somewhere in the Borders would be desirable but there is little population and few teams or existing stadia that would make this, in any way, realistic. Similar problems exist in the highlands, outside of the three cities already named. While it would cluster half of the stadia into the central belt, the final option would need to be somewhere like Falkirk. Current capacity at Falkirk Stadium is under 7,000 but solid plans to exist to take it up to 10,000. 30,000 here, again, is totally unreasonable.

The best a Scotland bid could do would be something like:

Aberdeen - New Build - 30,000
Dundee - New Build - 30,000
Edinburgh - Murrayfield Stadium - 67,800
Falkirk - Falkirk Stadium Expansion - 30,000
Glasgow - Hampden Park - 52,103
Glasgow - Celtic Park / Ibrox Stadium - 60,857 / 51,082
Inverness - New Build - 30,000
Perth - McDiarmid Park Expansion - 30,000

Even with temporary stands, this isn't realistic for the clubs involved. Scotland's best chance of hosing a European Championships is as a backup for 2012.

Given the growth the Rugby World Cup in France signalled, Scotland would also probably be incapable of hosting the RWC alone. Given the tradition of RWCs held in the UK and Ireland, however, the bid always seems to be about the right to host the final, rather than the whole tournament. If Scotland were to bid, the final would be at Murrayfield and, likely, games held all around the UK and Ireland.

The Italian federation are interested in bidding for either 2015 or 2019:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7516262.stm

I think this is fantastic news. There's certainly enough stadia of a suitable size in the country and it could really boost the profile of the game in a country where it has been growing well for a number of years.

I also see that Perpignan are looking to host a few big games in the Nou Camp, which would be great for the profile of the game in Spain.

The chances of Scotland being able to host the Euros, even in their current format, as a sole bidder are pretty low. At the moment, Scotland have four stadia, of which only three would be usable, that meet minimum standards for hosting the Euros. As three are in Glasgow, one of Celtic Park, Hampden Park and Ibrox wouldn't be able to be used. The other stadium is Murrayfield.

The capacity at Pittodrie, Aberdeen's stadium, is just over 22,000, so a 30,000 plus capacity redevelopment may not be too far into the realms of fantasy. Due to roads on two sides of the stadium, redevelopment is limited and a rebuild would probably be required. I can't see this being desirable to the club.

Inverness and Dundee seem like other obvious host cities but neither city has any requirement for a long-term 30,000 seat stadium. The two teams in Dundee have stadia with capacities of 12,000 and 14,000. Even for Dundee and Dundee United to share a 30,000 capacity stadium seems infeasible. Inverness Caledonian Thistle currently play in a stadium with a capacity of under 8,000. A 30,000 stadium there is ridiculous. Perth may be another option but again, the 30,000 capacity is unrealistic; current capacity at McDiarmid Park is just over 10,000

The final host city could be a complete mystery; geographic spread would suggest that somewhere in the Borders would be desirable but there is little population and few teams or existing stadia that would make this, in any way, realistic. Similar problems exist in the highlands, outside of the three cities already named. While it would cluster half of the stadia into the central belt, the final option would need to be somewhere like Falkirk. Current capacity at Falkirk Stadium is under 7,000 but solid plans to exist to take it up to 10,000. 30,000 here, again, is totally unreasonable.

The best a Scotland bid could do would be something like:

Aberdeen - New Build - 30,000
Dundee - New Build - 30,000
Edinburgh - Murrayfield Stadium - 67,800
Falkirk - Falkirk Stadium Expansion - 30,000
Glasgow - Hampden Park - 52,103
Glasgow - Celtic Park / Ibrox Stadium - 60,857 / 51,082
Inverness - New Build - 30,000
Perth - McDiarmid Park Expansion - 30,000

Even with temporary stands, this isn't realistic for the clubs involved. Scotland's best chance of hosing a European Championships is as a backup for 2012.

Given the growth the Rugby World Cup in France signalled, Scotland would also probably be incapable of hosting the RWC alone. Given the tradition of RWCs held in the UK and Ireland, however, the bid always seems to be about the right to host the final, rather than the whole tournament. If Scotland were to bid, the final would be at Murrayfield and, likely, games held all around the UK and Ireland.



I think this is fantastic news. There's certainly enough stadia of a suitable size in the country and it could really boost the profile of the game in a country where it has been growing well for a number of years.

I also see that Perpignan are looking to host a few big games in the Nou Camp, which would be great for the profile of the game in Spain.

I agree and disagree with you there mate.

Scotland woud not be able to host both tournaments on our own but there is no reason why we could not host most of it with a junior partner invloved like Ireland

For the Euros we would need one group to be held in Ireland with one quarter final and a semi being held there

Aberdeen are actually moving foraward with a stadium plan with Aberdeen city council at the moment.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/aberdeen/7515065.stm

Both Dundee terams will move into a shared ground, which will be purpose built and expanded to 30000 for the tournament

Ibrox and Celtic Park (used as one stadium)
Hampden
Murrayfield
Rugby Park (temporary expansion)

There's six definite stadia for you for a start, perhaps Inverness could be given a multipurpose arena that can be used as a stadium but also as a regional sports centre once it is finished?

and then there would only be one extra stadium needed, either Falkirk OR here is a bit of a left field, use St James' Park as one group location.

I am sure England would jump at the chance to be based in newcastle for their games (asuming they make it there ofcourse ;-))

As for the rugby world cup all of he above still stands, but if Scotland needed to farm extra games out then give Ireland a couple fo groups and a quarter final. The Other quarters could be Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow with the semis being in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Not beyond the realms of possiblity and really if NZ can host he RWC, why can't Scotland?

Interesting post, Gorgu; I must admit that I hadn't thought of Kilmarnock. Rugby Park has a capacity of 18,000 at the minute; is it possible to find another 12,000 temporary seats given the site restrictions? At I guess, I'd say no - two corners could be filled in and the south stand could be expanded but only half of the west stand and none of the north and east stands could be developed. I think it would be a massive struggle to turn Rugby Park into a 30,000 capacity stadium, even temporarily.

The major issue with having a minor partner is that the options are likely to be Wales, Ireland or Northern Ireland. Wales only brings the Millennium Stadium to the table. Ireland would bring Lansdowne Road or Croke Park and Northern Ireland brings absolutely nothing. Does Wales have any use or requirement for a 30,000 capacity stadium outside of Cardiff? Does Ireland have use for one outside of Dublin? The realistic answer is no. Under UEFA restrictions, the new Cardiff City stadium couldn't be used and only one of Croke Park and Lansdowne Road could be used. I don't think a shared tournament brings much to the Scotland bid, unfortunately.

I wasn't aware that Aberdeen has such immediate redevelopment plans. A 22,000 capacity stadium could easily be converted up to 30,000.

As much as I would love to see the Euros in Scotland, I just cannot see it being possible with a Scotland only bid and I'm really not sure what a minor partner in Ireland or Wales really brings to the table. The worry is not just stadia (although you do make a valid case), we must also ask if cities and towns like Inverness, Dundee or Kilmarnock have enough tourist infrastructure to cope with an influx of 30,000+ football fans.

When it comes to New Zealand hosting the rugby world cup; I think you totally underestimate the stadium infrastructure in New Zealand, especially for rugby. It is on a level, capacity wise, that Scotland simply cannot compete with.

I think these are complete lists of usable stadia with capacities over 20,000 in each country:

New Zealand:

Albany - North Harbour Stadium - 25,000
Auckland - Eden Park - 45,472
Auckland - Mt Smart Stadium - 35,000
Christchurch - AMI Stadium - 36,500
Christchurch - Queen Elizabeth II Park - 20,000
Dunedin - Carisbrook - 30,000
Hamilton - Waikato Stadium - 27,500
Mount Maungaui - Blue Chip N.Z. Stadium - 20,000
New Plymouth - Yarrow Stadium - 25,000
Rotorua - Rotorua International Stadium - 35,000
Wellington - Westpac Stadium - 36,000
Whangarei - ITM Stadium - 25,000

Scotland:

Aberdeen - Pittodrie Stadium - 22,000
Edinburgh - Easter Road Redevelopment - 20,000
Edinburgh - Murrayfield Stadium - 67,800
Edinburgh - Tynecastle Stadium Redevelopment - 23,000
Glasgow - Celtic Park - 60,000
Glasgow - Ibrox Stadium - 51,000
Glasgow - Hampden Park - 52,000

I think both the spread and number of suitably sized stadia in New Zealand show the difference in abilities of the two countries to host the Rugby World Cup. New Zealand provides 12 in 10 cities. Scotland provides 5 in 3 cities with the potential, in the future, to provide 7 in 3 cities.

In agree and disagree with you there

At the moment there is a definite difference in stadia, but NZ are actually redeveloping their grounds in order to get those number to that level, I am sure Scotland would do the same.

Lets take a look at the possibilities with scotland having upgraded stadia:

Aberdeen - New Stadium - 22,000 (temporary 30,000 for large events as detailed here)
Edinburgh - Easter Road Redevelopment - 22, 000 (with new stand as detailed here: http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/JC-cant-wait-for-boost.3465900.jp)
Edinburgh - Murrayfield Stadium - 67,800 (no need to introduce you to this one)
Edinburgh - Tynecastle Stadium Redevelopment - 23,000 (new stand as detailed here: http://sport.scotsman.com/heartofmidlothianfc/Tynecastle-capacity-to-reach-25000.2671972.jp)
Glasgow - Celtic Park - 60,000 (I think you know this one)
Glasgow - Ibrox Stadium - 51,000 (This one too)
Glasgow - Hampden Park - 52,000 (and this one)
Dundee - New Stadium - 30,000 temporary (17,500 after tournament)
Inverness arena I proposed earlier
Kilmarnock - (Up to 25000 easiliy if you look at the layout of the stadium and simply filled the corners in
Falkirk could also be brought up to 20,000 if the stands were built in a strategic way

add to these dunfermline, kirkaldy and paisley (all circa 10,000 for the smaller matches between african and asian teams) and Melrose (where the sevens is payed every year with 15000 watching) you could have a pretty good world cup in my opinion!

dunno if celtic or rangers would allow their stadiums to be used, especially if tis during the season

I am pretty sure that both would be happy to bend a little given the prestige of the tournament and also pressure from press and government bodies.

Also france seems to manage ok last year with 90% of the stadia being used being football stadia!

Could something be worked out with so much of Scotland's population being in the central belt. Surely the governing body would see the sense in allowing all three of Glasgows stadiums being used as this would very much be a special case.

The IRB have announced the bidders for 2015 and 2019:

2015:

Australia, England, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Scotland, South Africa and Wales

2019:

Australia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Russia, Scotland, South Africa and Wales

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7564403.stm

I can't see the IRB going for two tournaments in a row in one of Tri-Nations, so I think Australia and South Africa will be ruled out. Arguably, bids from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales are unlikely to be drastically different, in terms of stadia used, with the bid to be about hosting the final alone - I imagine that talks between all four unions will mean that this does turn into a bid from only one of the home nations. My personal preference, obviously, is a tournament in the UK because I can get to go to the games without spending large sums of money but it would be great for the game in Italy and Japan and, more idealistically, I'd support one of those two bids. Given time zones and TV audiences, I think 2015 may be too early for Japan but I think Italy could put on a great tournament.

The IRB have announced the bidders for 2015 and 2019:

2015:

Australia, England, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Scotland, South Africa and Wales

2019:

Australia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Russia, Scotland, South Africa and Wales

Whoa Nelly!

The IRB have announced the bidders for 2015 and 2019:

2015:

Australia, England, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Scotland, South Africa and Wales

2019:

Australia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Russia, Scotland, South Africa and Wales

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7564403.stm

I can't see the IRB going for two tournaments in a row in one of Tri-Nations, so I think Australia and South Africa will be ruled out. Arguably, bids from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales are unlikely to be drastically different, in terms of stadia used, with the bid to be about hosting the final alone - I imagine that talks between all four unions will mean that this does turn into a bid from only one of the home nations. My personal preference, obviously, is a tournament in the UK because I can get to go to the games without spending large sums of money but it would be great for the game in Italy and Japan and, more idealistically, I'd support one of those two bids. Given time zones and TV audiences, I think 2015 may be too early for Japan but I think Italy could put on a great tournament.

England, South Africa and Japan would offer a great set of high capacity venues.

As would Italy; I'm actually quite interested to see the particulars of an Italian bid. Given that a vast majority of large sports stadia in Italy are owned by city Municipalities, Italy are possibly in the unique position to hold some kind of bidding process for host cities. I hope that at least some of the planned cities are in the south of the country. At the minute, the rugby heartland is still largely in the north of the country but something like a rugby world cup could hopefully generate greater interest elsewhere.

As well as the Stadio Flamino, Italy could offer the following venues:

San Siro - Milan - 85,000
Stadio San Paolo - Naples - 78,000
Stadio Olimpico - Rome - 73,000
Stadio San Nicola - Bari - 58,000
Stadio Artemio Franchi - Florence - 47,000
Stadio Friuli - Udine - 41,000
Stadio San Filippo - Messina - 40,000
Stadio Renato Dall'Ara - Bologna - 39,000
Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi - Verona - 39,000
Stadio Arechi - Salerno - 37,000
Stadio Luigi Ferraris - Genoa - 36,000
Stadio Via del Mare - Lecce - 36,000
Stadio Nereo Rocco - Trieste - 32,000

I've bolded the stadia I would imagine would be used.

In June 2009 the host of World cup 2015 and 2019 will be chosen. Canidates are Italy, Ireland, Japan, Scotland, England, Wales, South Africa and Australia

Any photos of possible stadia? Who are the favourites?

If England win the bid the final will definetly be held at the 82,000 seater Twickenham stadium (which is only used for rugby):

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1359/1016819690_9d46d1426a_b.jpg

So, Italy and England are candidates ?
Where is the source please ?

I've read in Spanish-speaking press...

http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/story?id=731829&s=rug&type=story

don't forget bids by jamaica and russia for the 2019 world cup

Jamaica & Russia, i didn't even realize they had teams. I think besides from the usual countries Japan and Argentina could be real contenders to host.

Russia not only have a team, they have a very good chance of qualifying for the next World Cup. Last I checked they were ranked 18 in the world.

Russia not only have a team, they have a very good chance of qualifying for the next World Cup. Last I checked they were ranked 18 in the world.

Russia surely will qualify for the next World Cup. In the first match of Six Nations "B" defeated Spain 42-15

I think South Africa could have a good chance of winning either bids, what with the massively upgraded infrastructure for 2010

Russia surely will qualify for the next World Cup. In the first match of Six Nations "B" defeated Spain 42-15

Only the top two sides in the Six Nations "B" qualify automatically - I predict Georgia and Romania will take these places and Russia will come third and have to join three other sides in the playoffs.

I think South Africa could have a good chance of winning either bids, what with the massively upgraded infrastructure for 2010

not only that, but it would have been 20 years since we last hosted it in 2015

not only that, but it would have been 20 years since we last hosted it in 2015
South Africa will get 2019 RWC: 2015 will take place in Europe.
Scotland is the best choice if we admit that England will get FIFA WC 2018.

The 2015 and 2019 bids won't be won on technical merit alone. RSA needs to lobby, make promises, swop votes etc.

Perhaps supporting England for 2019 in return for votes for RSA 2015

England have threatened to pull out of the bidding process because of the huge price the IRB are demanding the host union pays.

Personally, I'd like to see Italy host in 2015 (until they entered the bidding I wanted Japan) and South Africa in 2019.

2015 must go to Japan or the game will never go global!

I hope italy gets 2015 and japan 2019. I want japan to get a super 14 (or whatever number it ends up) team before they host the world cup.

The 2015 and 2019 bids won't be won on technical merit alone. RSA needs to lobby, make promises, swop votes etc.

Perhaps supporting England for 2019 in return for votes for RSA 2015

After seeing the new stadiums being built in Durbs, Cape Town, Nelspruit and Joburg, it would be insane for SA to not get the 2015 games.

After seeing the new stadiums being built in Durbs, Cape Town, Nelspruit and Joburg, it would be insane for SA to not get the 2015 games.

Not really. If we don't lobby and bribe enough stadia could mean very little.
Also remember that the IRB is setting a minimum revenue guarantee so the bid that offers the highest amount is more likely to win.

Wikipedia on the other hand does make a South Africa bid sound great.

"The strengths of a South African bid would be that it is in the same time zone as Europe the wealthiest television market, that they are the current World Cup holders, that they previously hosted the tournament with great success and that they are currently in the process of building a whole series of new stadiums for the 2010 FIFA World Cup."

Not really. If we don't lobby and bribe enough stadia could mean very little.
Also remember that the IRB is setting a minimum revenue guarantee so the bid that offers the highest amount is more likely to win.

If it comes down to guaranteed revenue I could see the bid going to the Cherry Blossoms.

France 07 was the best world cup and is the perfect location as the french are great at showing-up for neutral games when it comes to them, and the british are great travellers.

Why not use that and let the south of France support a spanish and later italian bid. perhaps even regional bids.

2015 (north) Spain- (South) France: major venues at Barcelona, Madrid, Bilbao, San Sebastian, Zaragoza, Lyon, Toulouse, Marseilles

2019 South Africa, as they will have the stadiums and crucuially it keeps the cup in the european time zone.

2023 (north) Italy - (south) France: Milan, turin, Genoa,Lyon, Marseilles, Monaco and perhaps even include swiss venues in Grenoble and Lausanne.

Can the Camp Nou fit a rugby pitch?

France 07 was the best world cup and is the perfect location as the french are great at showing-up for neutral games when it comes to them, and the british are great travellers.

Why not use that and let the south of France support a spanish and later italian bid. perhaps even regional bids.

2015 (north) Spain- (South) France: major venues at Barcelona, Madrid, Bilbao, San Sebastian, Zaragoza, Lyon, Toulouse, Marseilles

2019 South Africa, as they will have the stadiums and crucuially it keeps the cup in the european time zone.

2023 (north) Italy - (south) France: Milan, turin, Genoa,Lyon, Marseilles, Monaco and perhaps even include swiss venues in Grenoble and Lausanne.

If there's a Spanish offer undoubtely Valladolid must be a venue, there are a 30k stadium and two teams in our Rugby League

Can the Camp Nou fit a rugby pitch?
This question is obsolete. A Rugby World Cup collides with the home fixtures of Barca. And I don't think that they would anyone allow to ruin their pitch.

What about Japan for Rugby WC candidate? To the extent of my knowledge, rugby is quite popular there

Rugby is popular there. The Cherry Blossoms are getting better too.

Logistically I have no doubt Japan could handle it.

^^ but who will arrive at the stadiums???

People would show. The Japanese love big events, and the big countries fans would travel.

France 2007 was not a great World Cup. They should never stage world cups in multi nations.

Australia 2003 still was the best World Cup and captured the nation.

The major improvement to make to future World Cups would be to reduce the number of teams to 12. 20 is ridiculous.

France 2007 was not a great World Cup. They should never stage world cups in multi nations.

Australia 2003 still was the best World Cup and captured the nation.


Thats one opinion.

In my opinion the Rugby World Cup should be rotated between Europe and the rest of the world. For example:

2011 New Zealand
2015 Italy
2019 Japan
2023 England
2027 South Africa
2027 Celtic Nations
2031 Argentina
2035 France
2039 Australia

I can't think of any other countries who could host it...

France 2007 was not a great World Cup. They should never stage world cups in multi nations.

Australia 2003 still was the best World Cup and captured the nation.

RWC 2003 was a good World Cup. RWC 2007 was a great World Cup.

The major improvement to make to future World Cups would be to reduce the number of teams to 12. 20 is ridiculous.

12 is far more "ridiculous" than 20 - if you go by the teams pre-qualified for 2011, you're talking about excluding established rugby nations like Samoa, Canada and the USA, not to mention countries like Georgia and Portugal where the game is exploding thanks to their participation in the World Cup...

i must however agree that the multicountry sharing that goes on with France, england, ireland, wales and scotland, makes the thing a bit of a farce at times. Cos it bascially means that whenever one of them host, all of them get games, kinda adds to the scratch my back rubbish that taints global events.

Yes wales and scotland could never host on there own, but always including england makes it a UK event. Therefore it returns there every second time in a sense. Hardly a different WC every time then.

I'd keep the team numbers up, its good for pushing growth in the future. i do however find that its stupid to include more teams at the WC but then they basically dont do anything between WC's.

On the Japan hosting the WC issue, i still think its WAY out the way for all the fans to be flown in, there is not a strong enough rugby culture yet and it wont be the right time now. maybe 15-20 years yes. I think more intermediary steps need to take place to intergrate these other nations before hoisting the WC on them. That is what is lacking from the IRB imo.

oh and SA will get either 2015 or 2019 thats a total given

oh and SA will get either 2015 or 2019 thats a total given

really?

Wales, Scotland, England etc. got to host in 2007 due to the votes for France's 2007 bid. Votes for matches

A Celtic bid would be very viable.

A joint bid for Wales, Scotland and Ireland would include:

Cardiff (Milennium)
Swansea (Liberty)
Llanelli (Scarlets)
Glasgow (Hampden)
Glasgow (Parkhead)
Edinburgh (Murrayfield)
Aberdeen (Pittdoorie)
Dublin (Croke)
Dublin (New Landsdowne)
Belfast (Casement)
Limerick (Thomond)
Cork (Caiomh)

WA; you're living in a dream world if you think Casement Park and Páirc Uí Chaoimh could ever be used in a RWC bid.

First of all, the repeal of law 42 applies specifically to Croke Park and not GAA stadia in general. Under the current, temporary, repeal, Casement and Chaoimh are a no go; given the money it took for Croker to open its doors and the massive fight that it took, I don't see a RWC being enough to merit another repeal that takes in, not only Croke Park, but also GAA stadia elsewhere.

Secondly, the facilities at Casement Park and Páirc Uí Chaoimh are pretty bad. In fact, I'd say they are pretty much awful. Chaoimh is in a grim state at present. It has decent redevelopment plans but aren't even at a meaningful planning stages but a recent scheme to replace the bench seats with proper seats ended with the backs of seats being removed due to the terrible spacing that resulted. Casement is, to be honest, a dump. The facilities, especially female toilets, are atrocious and there are very, VERY few seats in the place.

Let's also add in here that the new Parc Y Scarlets holds a mere 14,000 and that Croke Park may not be available for this bid... It doesn't take a lot of imagination to piece together a Magners League bid but your potential venues aren't well thought and fails to account for the fact that a realistic Celtic Bid is for little more than the right to host the final, with venues from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales all used. The last time the Celtic Nations hosted a RWC (Wales, 1999), the tournament was considerably smaller than it is following the great tournaments hosted by Australia and France; sadly, I fear a meaningful Celtic Nations bid requires England to be on board or else it will be dwarfed by what Italy can offer.

A Celtic bid would be very viable.

A joint bid for Wales, Scotland and Ireland would include:

Cardiff (Milennium)
Swansea (Liberty)
Llanelli (Scarlets)
Glasgow (Hampden)
Glasgow (Parkhead)
Edinburgh (Murrayfield)
Aberdeen (Pittdoorie)
Dublin (Croke)
Dublin (New Landsdowne)
Belfast (Casement)
Limerick (Thomond)
Cork (Caiomh)


Actually a quite realistic set of stadia would be:

Cardiff (Milennium)
Swansea (Liberty)
Llanelli (Scarlets)
Glasgow (Hampden)
Glasgow (Parkhead)
Kilmarnock (Rugby Park)
Edinburgh (Murrayfield)
Aberdeen (New Pittodrie)
Dundee (Tannadice)
Perth (McDairmid Park)
Dublin (Croke)
Dublin (New Landsdowne)
Belfast (The Maze)
Limerick (Thomond)
[/QUOTE]

really?

Wales, Scotland, England etc. got to host in 2007 due to the votes for France's 2007 bid. Votes for matches

hence the corruption inherent in current voting platforms and my belief they need an overhaul. It becomes a european boys club for rugby constantly

Isn't Ibrox supposed to seat 80,000 by that time? I'd include it over Parkhead.

Nope, the France 2007 World Cup was a major disapointment. Staging matches in Ireland and Wales was utterly idiotic.

The World Cup in France did not capture France anything like the Australia 2003 one did.

The IRB should grow some cajones and NEVER allow the Cup to be spread all over the place.

It almost becomes a quasi 6 nations the way they had it in France. If you are going to do it that way, just have teams play at home and have the final somewhere neutral.

Rugby needs to get serious.

A World stage for stadium
20 February 2009
South Wales Echo

CARDIFF City's new stadium could host matches at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Though England will launch a solo bid to host the 2015 event, RFU chairman Martyn Thomas has confirmed some matches could be switched to Wales.

But, whereas the Millennium Stadium and the Liberty Stadium, in Swansea, are perhaps natural choices, the move to include the Bluebirds' new home will come as a shock to many.

The 27,000-seater stadium will open for business before the start of next season and be the home of both Cardiff City and Cardiff Blues.

Scotland, Wales and Ireland have all expressed an interest in staging the 2015 World Cup - but none of them have the facilities to host the tournament on their own and would have to rely on joining forces. Any hopes the Celtic unions had of submitting a combined home nations bid now appear to have been scuppered.

But Thomas said: "We have certainly had very good discussions with the Welsh in terms of using the facilities they have, particularly the Millennium Stadium but also the Ospreys and maybe the new Cardiff stadium.

"I am sure if we go ahead with the bid we will certainly involve games in Wales.

"We haven't totally ruled out games further north.

"We want to make sure there are games in the north of England and that it reaches out to as many people as possible."

England faces competition from government-backed bids in Europe - possibly Italy - and South Africa in hosting the World Cup, now considered the world's third biggest sporting event, for the first time since 1991.

"There seem to be potentially two other countries that are likely to be strong contenders," said Thomas.

Isn't Ibrox supposed to seat 80,000 by that time? I'd include it over Parkhead.The phrase "pipe dream" comes to mind. I don't doubt that someone has mentioned this, but that it's unrealistic for the club to do this.

really?

Wales, Scotland, England etc. got to host in 2007 due to the votes for France's 2007 bid. Votes for matches

Only Wales and Scotland hosted 2007 games, Mo.

Only Wales and Scotland hosted 2007 games, Mo.

thats correct, thank you. the French would never be that silly.

The crazy thing is, the French didn't need to whore themselves to the Celtic nations - in the end only the USA and Canada voted for England. RWC 2007 was the best yet, but would have been even better with all 48 games in France...

I fear a meaningful Celtic Nations bid requires England to be on board or else it will be dwarfed by what Italy can offer.

I think that fear is unfounded on two points. You only have to look at Italy's failure to win the bid for Euro 2012 to see that all is not exactly rosy on their front.

But, at the same time, I see no reason why the Celtic nations couldn't come together for a proper, jointly-hosted World Cup without England. Even allowing for the issues surrounding Croke Park and GAA venues, you could still come up with a strong venue list:

Cardiff - Millennium Stadium and the new Blues Stadium
Swansea - Liberty Stadium
Llanelli - Expanded Parc y Scarlets or Wrexham - Re-developed Racecourse Ground

Dublin - Lansdowne Road (perhaps an expansion to 60,000+?)
Dublin - RDS Stadium
Limerick - Thomond Park
Belfast - New National Stadium

Edinburgh - Murrayfield (perhaps an expansion to secure its first final)
Glasgow - Hampden Park
Aberdeen - New Stadium
Glasgow - Fir Hill

And would the GAA oppose involvement if it meant some big investment to improve venues?

Dublin - Lansdowne Road (perhaps an expansion to 60,000+?)

They can't expand to 60,000+ - if they could they'd currently be building a stadium that size! :nuts:

Dublin - RDS Stadium

The RDS is a stone's throw from Lansdowne Road, and uses a lot of temporary seats on scaffolding for Heineken Cup games - not an ideal venue for a World Cup!

Not ideal, but is there a better option?

Another country mayby with more than enough stadia ......

That'll be Japan then.

Japan should host anyway, Rugby isn't going to grow globally by continually pandering to it's old boy's club.

Italy or Japan in 2015 - I wouldn't mind if South Africa then hosted in 2019.

I really hope that Japan gets to host the 2015 World Cup - it'll do wonders for the popularity and professionalisation of the game there. On top of that, Japan has some great stadiums in place from the 2002 FIFA world cup, and it offers great economic potential and access to Asia. Possibly suitable stadiums include:
Oita (41,000):

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/106/290163397_32001eff58.jpg?v=0

Fukuoka (24,000):

http://www1.fbs.co.jp/ann/kubo/archives/imgs/contents/080617_hakatanomori.jpg

Kobe (34,000):

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/130/348801484_eebe5a15ff.jpg?v=0

Chiba (20,000):

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/93/238264453_3f9ab123ab.jpg?v=0

Saitama (63,000):

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/193/512100857_903c2f8178.jpg?v=0

Sapporo (42,000):

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1178/850346780_8b113ced75.jpg?v=0

Does anyone know what the minimum stadium requirements for a Rugby World cup are by the way?

The four unions bidding to host the Rugby World Cup in 2015 will present details of their bids to the IRB in Dublin today.

England last hosted the World Cup in 1991 (and nine games in the 1999 event were played there), South Africa last held the event in 1995, and Italy and Japan are bidding to stage it for the first time.

Who would you like to see awarded the 2015 World Cup when the decision is made on 28 July?

I would love to see it in SA again, but my second choice would be JapanO

I don't think it should be in the Southern Hemisphere twice in succession, and I'd like to see it breaking new ground, though I wouldn't complain if we had a World Cup in England.

I'm genuinely undecided - I think I'm going to have to wait for details of the four bids to be revealed.

Might as well add 2019 as well (theyre deciding at the same time aren't they)

Im going for Italy 2015 and in 2019 either SA or England.

Its Africa's turn! Dont be such colonialists!

I don't see the problem with South Africa - it's Southern Hemisphere but it's only two hours ahead of GMT, if I remember correctly, which doesn't really have potential effects for TV audiences and so on in the Northern Hemisphere. For that reason, I don't think the fact that SA is in the SH will have much effect.

My personal preference would be for Italy. The sport has been growing there for a while and I think it's a deserving host on that basis. It would do wonders for the sport in a country that has a serious chance of competing in the near future. Combined with general improvements in performances, compared to where they were ten years ago, and with two Italian teams joining the Magners League, this improvement should continue. Further interest in the sport, generated from hosting its largest event, could be excellent.

The four unions bidding to host the Rugby World Cup in 2015 and 2019 will present details of their bids to the IRB in Dublin today.

England last hosted the World Cup in 1991 (and nine games in the 1999 event were played there), South Africa last held the event in 1995, and Italy and Japan are bidding to stage it for the first time.

England are only bidding for the 2015 tournament, while the other three unions are bidding to host both.

Who would you like to see awarded the 2015 and 2019 World Cups when the decision is made?

Might as well add 2019 as well (theyre deciding at the same time aren't they)

Yes, you're right - my inital instinct was that it would make for a complicated poll, but there are only nine possible decisions.

I've created a new thread - can a mod merge the relevant posts from this one into it and delete?

I've thought about this a bit more.

I don't think Japan will get it in 2015, as that would be two tournaments in a row away from the lucrative European TV market time zone.

I don't think South Africa should get it again before England.

So England or Italy for 2015, and Japan or South Africa for 2019.

Italy then Japan would be two "developing" hosts in a row, which might be a bit of a gamble.

England then South Africa on the other hand would be a bit of a snub to developing nations.

General sentiment is that Japan got a rough deal last time, so I'm going to have to go for England then Japan rather than Italy - South Africa.

Though a World Cup in Italy would be great. Bugger it, still can't decide on an option.

I'm going for SA then Japan.

England then Italy

South Africa must get 2015!
It will mark 20 years since It last hosted the games, months into the countries democracy.
SA then Italy then England or SA then England then Italy
At the end of the day they All great hosts.

SA 2015 would be a safe and very apropriate event. its 20 years since 1995 and the country will have all the infastructure ready to go from 2010SWC with only minor overlays needed. South Africa has a fanatical rugby following who fill stadiums and the tv times are the same as for europe. (my opinion is biased though) I would then like to see 2019 go to Japan as it could really grow the game there and they have many stadia from 2002 that could be used and they are probably the developing nation (with the infastructure to host) who could most benifit from the events.

SA 2015 would be a safe and very apropriate event. its 20 years since 1995 and the country will have all the infastructure ready to go from 2010SWC with only minor overlays needed. South Africa has a fanatical rugby following who fill stadiums and the tv times are the same as for europe. (my opinion is biased though) I would then like to see 2019 go to Japan as it could really grow the game there and they have many stadia from 2002 that could be used and they are probably the developing nation (with the infastructure to host) who could most benifit from the events.

Couldn't agree with you more. I think Japan will be much more ready by 2019, and this will give them some more time to grow the game. I'd like to see a new stadium in Pretoria by 2015 though, and it might be a good chance to use and upgrade some of the provincial grounds, like Kimberley, George and Stellenbosch.

Italian stadia for 2015/2019 bid:

Genova (36.536)
Torino (27.550)
Marsiglia (63.012)
Milano (80.081)
Verona (42.160)
Padova (32.420)
Roma (80.000),
Firenze (47.282)
Napoli (76.824)
Palermo (36.861).

Uh...Marsiglia?

Uh...Marsiglia?

Marseille, south of France. :)

Too bad Argentina isn't bidding, considering the great performance they made in France 2007.

A Rugby World Cup could have provided the catalysis for improved infrastructure in cities and upgrade of stadiums. Perhaps next time.

I vote for Japan

stadiums that could host it -

Nissan Stadium - 70,000
Saitama Stadium - 63,000
Shizuoka Stadium - 51,000
Hiroshima Big Arch - 50,000
Miyagi Stadium - 50,000
Toyota Stadium - 45,000
Olympic Stadium (Tokyo) - 58,000
Ōita Stadium - 40,000
Niigata Stadium - 42,000
Nagai Stadium - 50,000
Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium - 30,000
KKWing Stadium - 32,000
Ajinomoto Stadium - 50,000

I don't think the Ajinomoto Stadium would host matches...it's a disaster.

^^^^ Your forgetting the new Olympic Stadium, should Tokyo win it's bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics, it could use the new stadium with it's large 100,000 capacity for the Rugby WC should it win. :P

I vote for Japan

stadiums that could host it -

Nissan Stadium - 70,000
Saitama Stadium - 63,000
Shizuoka Stadium - 51,000
Hiroshima Big Arch - 50,000
Miyagi Stadium - 50,000
Toyota Stadium - 45,000
Olympic Stadium (Tokyo) - 58,000
Ōita Stadium - 40,000
Niigata Stadium - 42,000
Nagai Stadium - 50,000
Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium - 30,000
KKWing Stadium - 32,000
Ajinomoto Stadium - 50,000

These are the stadia listed in the Japanese bid:

Nissan Stadium, Yokohama (72,000)
Nagai Stadium, Osaka (50,000)
Olympic Stadium, Tokyo (57,000)
Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo (27,000)
Yurtec Stadium Sendai, Sendai (20,000)
Level-5 Stadium, Fukuoka (23,000)
Toyota Stadium, Toyota (45,000)
Sapporo Dome, Sapporo (41,000)
Home's Stadium, Kobe (34,000)
Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong (40,000)
Singapore Sports Hub, Singapore (50,000)

England's proposed stadia:

Wembley, London (90,000)
Twickenham, London (82,000)
Old Trafford, Manchester (76,212)
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff (74,500)
Emirates Stadium, London (60,355)
St James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne (52,387)
Anfield, Liverpool (45,370)
Elland Road, Leeds (39,401)
St Mary's, Southampton (32,689)
Ricoh Arena, Coventry (32,609)
Welford Road, Leicester (17,498)
Kingsholm, Gloucester (16,500)

Italy's proposed stadia:

Stadio Olimpico, Rome (83,000)
San Siro, Milan (80,081)
Stadio San Paolo, Naples (76,824)
Stade Vélodrome, Marseilles (63,012)
Stadio Renzo Barbera, Palermo (37,000)
Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi, Verona (42,160)
Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence (47,282)
Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa (36,536)
Stadio Euganeo, Padua (32,420)
Stadio Olimpico di Torino, Turin (27,550)

Japan's proposed stadia:

Nissan Stadium, Yokohama (72,000)
Nagai Stadium, Osaka (50,000)
Olympic Stadium, Tokyo (57,000)
Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo (27,000)
Yurtec Stadium Sendai, Sendai (20,000)
Level-5 Stadium, Fukuoka (23,000)
Toyota Stadium, Toyota (45,000)
Sapporo Dome, Sapporo (41,000)
Home's Stadium, Kobe (34,000)
Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong (40,000)
Singapore Sports Hub, Singapore (50,000)

Marseille, south of France. :)

In English: Marseilles
In French: Marseille
In Italian: Marsiglia

Japan's proposed stadia:

Nissan Stadium, Yokohama (72,000)
Nagai Stadium, Osaka (50,000)
Olympic Stadium, Tokyo (57,000)
Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo (27,000)
Yurtec Stadium Sendai, Sendai (20,000)
Level-5 Stadium, Fukuoka (23,000)
Toyota Stadium, Toyota (45,000)
Sapporo Dome, Sapporo (41,000)
Home's Stadium, Kobe (34,000)
Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong (40,000)
Singapore Sports Hub, Singapore (50,000)

Nice list for Japan!! Great move to include Hong Kong and Singapore in the bid as well, this will increase their chances for sure!

Hopefully Italy or Japan get it or rugby will never grow

England's proposed stadia:

Wembley, London (90,000)
Twickenham, London (82,000)
Old Trafford, Manchester (76,212)
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff (74,500)
Emirates Stadium, London (60,355)
St James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne (52,387)
Anfield, Liverpool (45,370)
Elland Road, Leeds (39,401)
St Mary's, Southampton (32,689)
Ricoh Arena, Coventry (32,609)
Welford Road, Leicester (17,498)
Kingsholm, Gloucester (16,500)

Italy's proposed stadia:

Stadio Olimpico, Rome (83,000)
San Siro, Milan (80,081)
Stadio San Paolo, Naples (76,824)
Stade Vélodrome, Marseilles (63,012)
Stadio Renzo Barbera, Palermo (37,000)
Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi, Verona (42,160)
Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence (47,282)
Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa (36,536)
Stadio Euganeo, Padua (32,420)
Stadio Olimpico di Torino, Turin (27,550)

Japan's proposed stadia:

Nissan Stadium, Yokohama (72,000)
Nagai Stadium, Osaka (50,000)
Olympic Stadium, Tokyo (57,000)
Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo (27,000)
Yurtec Stadium Sendai, Sendai (20,000)
Level-5 Stadium, Fukuoka (23,000)
Toyota Stadium, Toyota (45,000)
Sapporo Dome, Sapporo (41,000)
Home's Stadium, Kobe (34,000)
Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong (40,000)
Singapore Sports Hub, Singapore (50,000)

some of those 20,000 stadiums in japan are gonna have to be upgraded if they get the rwc

some of those 20,000 stadiums in japan are gonna have to be upgraded if they get the rwc

I think Italy might have more to worry about than Japan when it comes to stadiums...

I've thought about this a bit more.

I don't think Japan will get it in 2015, as that would be two tournaments in a row away from the lucrative European TV market time zone.

I don't think South Africa should get it again before England.

So England or Italy for 2015, and Japan or South Africa for 2019.

Italy then Japan would be two "developing" hosts in a row, which might be a bit of a gamble.

England then South Africa on the other hand would be a bit of a snub to developing nations.

General sentiment is that Japan got a rough deal last time, so I'm going to have to go for England then Japan rather than Italy - South Africa.

Looks like RWC Ltd think the same way:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/8126952.stm

Looks like RWC Ltd think the same way:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/8126952.stm


I'm italian but I agree. I hope in my country for 2015 or 2019 but England and Japan is the best choice. :)

leicester tigers welford road ground will have approx 32 000 capacity by 2015:cheers:

South Africa, then Japan is my vote. I think Japan will need a bit more time to promote the game if it wants to fill stadiums.

England to boost the coffers in 2015 (all six nation unions filling stadiums for the group games, and the massive expat communities from NZ, SA and Aus) makes it a no brainer.

That makes the risk of two relative gambles financially (NZ and Japan) viable.

SA to host in 2023, Italy in 2028, then Aus, then a Celtic Nations RWC.

Italy in 2028

Might clash with the Olympics :lol:

This was in todays NZ Herald

Rugby: Olympic hope may cost Sth Africa cup

South Africa's bid for the 2015 or 2019 Rugby World Cup will this week be sacrificed on the altar of the game's greatest desire, entry into the Olympics.

The full IRB Council is set to ratify the recommendation of the World Cup committee that England should host the tournament in 2015 and Japan four years later.

England, because of its enormous financial capacity, was always banker for the 2015 event. The IRB needs a whopping financial bonanza in 2015.

But the reason Japan will win the vote for 2019 ahead of South Africa is the issue of rugby in the Olympic Games, a dream the IRB has had for the better part of 50 years.

The decision in favour of Japan becoming the first country outside the IRB's traditional powerhouse nations to host a World Cup is likely to swing the large, highly significant Asian vote in the Olympics behind rugby's cause.

It is an overwhelming priority of the IRB to see rugby, in the form of Sevens, included for the first time at an Olympics.


One IRB insider said last week: "The implications of rugby being accepted in the Olympics are absolutely massive, simply incalculable. Calling yourself an Olympic sport opens so many doors. Nothing would be done to imperil that potential."

It means that, despite the three billion rand ($600,000) the South Africans have invested in their bid, it will cut little ice when the fullIRB Council meets in Dublin on Wednesday to make a final decision.

England and Japan will most likely be confirmed as the hosts and South Africa will face the prospect of, at the very least, a 28-year gap between World Cups.

There is some justification for the IRB's position. To develop as a true world sport, rugby needs to gain entry to the Olympics. For in its Sevens form, lesser rugby nations such as Kenya, Japan and South Korea, with proper preparation and professional expertise, compete significantly in such a tournament.

Under professionalism, the widening of the chasm between the traditional rugby-playing countries and nations such as Canada, the US, Fiji and Samoa - has alarmed many in the game. There is no way a full XV-a-side competition could be held in the Olympics and offer the non-traditional countries a reasonable hope of success.

But Sevens is different and it would surely make a magnificent spectacle.

Olympic bosses are expected to decide this October whether to include Sevens for the 2016 Games. A decision this week to give the 2019 Rugby World Cup to Japan would be timely indeed.

Thus the South African bid is expected to fail. But IRB insiders suggest the South Africans should look in their own backyard for another reason for their failure.

The way ticket prices were so grossly distorted by the host nation for the recent British and Irish Lions tour went down like a lead balloon in official IRB circles.

Very interesting post. I don't particularly like Rugby 7's but it is the only realistic format for the Olympics. To be an Olympic sport again would be great for the non giants of the game. Australia never does that well at 7's but South Africa, New Zealand and Fiji do for the Southern Hemisphere. Like to see Rugby 7's inclusion as a possible recruitment boon for the USA, get some track/spint guys playing on the wing.

As for Rugby World Cup, I don't want to see it in the UK again for a while but I understand the economics, look forward to Japan's bid. Would have loved to have seen Japan 2015 and Italy 2019.

Question; Didn't Rugby Union get kicked out of the Olympics on dubious reports of crowd hooliganism?
Funny that the last gold medalists were the USA, with the French having some greivences.

Dont deny Africa again!

Dont deny Africa again!

I might have had a bit more sympathy if not for all those empty seats I saw on the TV on Saturday...

I might have had a bit more sympathy if not for all those empty seats I saw on the TV on Saturday...

Bloemfontein is a small town. Blame SARU.

No announcement yet - it was expected at 13:30 UTC but the ticker on the IRB website just reads "IRB Council still in discussions. More soon....".

"IRB Council voting now. Announcement expected around 15:30 Dublin time. More soon...."

Live announcement now at http://www.irb.com/rwcannouncements/index.html

Woohoo, big surprise regarding the results :puke:

happy for eng but i wanted SA to have it

Not at all impressed with England getting it again :/ It will be nice to see the world cup in Japan though.

Having it again? It will be 20 years and we are only 1 of a few nations that can host it and sell out all seats.

Not at all impressed with England getting it again :/

England has never been the sole host before - 1991 was co-hosted by five countries, and 1999 was hosted by Wales. There have only been 16 RWC games in England - 12 pool games and four knockout games.

Rugby World Cup games to date:

Australia - 59
France - 58
South Africa - 32
New Zealand - 21
Wales - 20
England - 16
Scotland - 15
Ireland - 12

Congratulations England. I am sure you will put on a great show!

Nice work England, and Japan! Would be keen if I have he money to go to both these events!

Looking to the future, which new countries might get to host the Rugby World Cup in the future? Italy should get the next one held in Europe, and if the game continues to grow in Russia (I fully expect them to qualify for 2011) they should have a good shout too. Germany, Portugal and Spain have the stadia too, but of them only Portugal have appeared in the finals before. Scotland, Ireland and Wales on the other hand don't have enough to go it alone, so would have to rely on a joint bid.

Canada doesn't have many large grass stadia - the USA is more than capable but doesn't have a big union and might struggle to fill seats with more than visiting fans. Argentina would be a good bet if they get a FIFA World Cup in the future and the stadium upgrade programme that will bring.

Jamaica apparently wanted to bid for 2015 or 2019 - I'll leave the wacky backy jokes for somebody else...

This is a good outcome. Japan is one of the best second tier nations (ie not in the six nations, trinations or argentina), giving them the 2019 world cup gives them 10 years to spend the time and money to develop the game in the country, and by the time they host it next I fully expect them to be better than some of the weaker six nations sides (italy and scotland). I only wish they had given a game to Korea instead of Singapore, the growth potential in the country is small, when compared to the possible growth in Korea.

This is a good outcome. Japan is one of the best second tier nations (ie not in the six nations, trinations or argentina), giving them the 2019 world cup gives them 10 years to spend the time and money to develop the game in the country, and by the time they host it next I fully expect them to be better than some of the weaker six nations sides (italy and scotland).

Actually, the IRB defines second tier nations as the following (with current IRB rankings):

Fiji (9)
Samoa (11)
Canada (13)
Japan (14)
Tonga (15)
USA (18)
Romania (19)

Scotland and Italy are 10th and 12th at the moment, but I'd be very surprised if Japan permanently overtake them within the next ten years...

Jamaica apparently wanted to bid for 2015 or 2019 - I'll leave the wacky backy jokes for somebody else...

Do they even have a team or do they play as the West Indies?

Do they even have a team or do they play as the West Indies?

Yes, but they're not very good - they lost 10-3 to Guyana at the very first stage of qualifying for the next Rugby World Cup, and they're currently ranked 84th in the IRB World Rankings. Trinidad and Tobago (ranked 48th) are traditionally the strongest Caribbean team.

Looking to the future, which new countries might get to host the Rugby World Cup in the future?

I reckon South Africa 2023 and Italy 2027. After that, its too far into the future for me to even speculate.

I reckon South Africa 2023 and Italy 2027. After that, its too far into the future for me to even speculate.

If the Japan world cup is a success, the next step to help the game grow is surely a World Cup in the USA.

^^ thats what ive been thinking. let usa and canada have a joint bid. surely if it will grow the game over there if the wc is held there.

There was a good chance that the USA was going to get a Bledisloe Cup match (Australia vs New Zealand) this year in Denver , but it went to Tokyo instead. I reckon it's just a matter of time.

The IRB is really trying to sell us on Japan being a big rugby nation...

The IRB is really trying to sell us on Japan being a big rugby nation...


There's a chance that the new Super 15 franchise could be based in Japan.

There's a chance that the new Super 15 franchise could be based in Japan.
Or Argentina! Or the United States! or Napier/Hastings! Or Port Elizabeth! Or Melbourne! Or West Sydney! Or the Gold Coast! Or New Plymouth!

Or Argentina! Or the United States! or Napier/Hastings! Or Port Elizabeth! Or Melbourne! Or West Sydney! Or the Gold Coast! Or New Plymouth!

I doubt it will be in the USA or Argentina, the whole point of the new conference system is to stop the problems that exist because of the massive time differences between South Africa and Australia New Zealand. Besides, neither country has a professional rugby league.

The odds are on a South Pacific franchise based in Samoa/Fiji/Tonga, a Japanese franchise or a 5th Australian team.

A Pacific Islander team or Japanese team are nowhere nearly as likely as a 5th Aussie franchise, in my opinion. Time zones are only half the issue with the current spread of teams; the other component being the travel. Japan does not alleviate that.

A Pacific Islander team or Japanese team are nowhere nearly as likely as a 5th Aussie franchise, in my opinion. Time zones are only half the issue with the current spread of teams; the other component being the travel. Japan does not alleviate that.

I agree, partly because I can see the ARU not being very happy if it goes somewhere else, and it's obviously easy to keep it just amongst the SANZAR countries.

I must say the new competition does look as if it'll be good though. I only hope someone finally plucks up the courage to set up a challenge match between the winners of Super 14/15 and the Heineken Cup.

The IRB is really trying to sell us on Japan being a big rugby nation...

Japan actually has more registered players than Australia and New Zealand, and a thriving university rugby culture. It's just not a big hitter on the international scene.

RugbyU: Hong Kong, Singapore still in Japan's World Cup venue plan
30 July 2009
Agence France Presse

Japan will fight to stage some of its rugby World Cup games in Hong Kong and Singapore, a senior official said Thursday, despite demands from the sport's governing body that it host all the matches.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) council on Tuesday awarded the 2019 tournament to Japan, making it the first Asian host of the sport's premier quadrennial competition.

But the IRB said matches must be staged within host nations, despite Japan's bid having included allocating some pool matches to Hong Kong and Singapore in what it called a "tender for Asia" to help globalise the sport.

"We will leave the question to future talks with the IRB," Japan Rugby Football Union vice president Nobby Mashimo told AFP after returning from Dublin, where he led Japan's bid team at the council's meeting.

"It will take a long time to reach a final decision," he said, adding that the question must be settled a few years before the start of ticket sales for the 2019 event.

"The IRB has told us to stage matches at home, unless there are special reasons," Mashimo said.

"With this in mind, we will insist on the advantages of Hong Kong and Singapore," he added. "We will try to make our case understood and create conditions that are acceptable to the participants there."

In literature submitted for the bid, Japan said sharing some World Cup matches with the two former British colonies would help cultivate new fans and create business opportunities in a region with emerging corporate power.

Hong Kong is home to the world's biggest rugby Sevens tournament, and Singapore is located close to the rugby superpower nations of Australia and New Zealand.

But the hot tropical weather in Singapore has been cited as a disadvantage for teams who might have to play there, Mashimo said.

"As everybody knows, Hong Kong has a huge seating capacity for rugby matches," he said.

Mashimo said he had also stressed to IRB leaders Singapore's geographical proximity to Australia and New Zealand.

"I pointed out that Singapore is in an economic zone including Australia," he said.

Singapore is scheduled to complete a rugby stadium in a sports complex in 2011, he added.

argentina

INTERVIEW-Rugby-Japan keeps 'flyaway' World Cup options open
20 August 2009

TOKYO, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Japan has not ruled out staging games at the 2019 World Cup in other Asian countries, but admits the extra travel could put a strain on teams.

Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) chairman Nobby Mashimo said Singapore and Hong Kong could still host matches but only if it made financial sense.

"We are not going to say it's not an option," Mashimo told Reuters in an interview. "Of course you have to wonder if there's a handicap for teams involved.

"The conclusion might be that a seven-hour flight to Singapore or four hours to Hong Kong is unfair. But we also have to weigh up the overall strategic factors.

"The decision will be made with input from the IRB (International Rugby Board) but we need to look at how it would help ticket sales.

"Over the next 10 years we could see China's rugby market rise if rugby sevens is approved for inclusion in the Olympics (in 2016) -- or possibilities for South Korea."

"We will have to see if there's a business advantage to it before making a decision," he added.

Japan won last month's IRB vote to host the 2019 World Cup with the 2015 tournament going to England on the recommendation of the event organisers.

The Japanese had been surprisingly beaten by New Zealand in the voting for the 2011 World Cup.

LATE-NIGHT LOBBYING

"I felt like crying when we got the 2019 World Cup," confessed Mashimo, who along with Japan coach John Kirwan was lobbying IRB members late into the night before the July 28 vote.

"Until the last minute we were worried the IRB might not follow the recommendation. When it was announced it was extremely emotional."

Mashimo said the JRFU, who will make use of stadiums constructed for the 2002 soccer World Cup Japan co-hosted with South Korea, were satisfied at landing the 2019 World Cup.

"We wanted 2015 but on balance maybe the World Cup had to return to Europe," he said. "With the economic downturn it makes sense to boost the coffers before going outside Europe again.

"I feel sorry for New Zealand having to stage the (2011) World Cup with the global recession still with us. It will be tough for them."

Mashimo admitted Japan's biggest challenge was to build a team capable of reaching the quarter-finals in 2019. The "Brave Blossoms" have won just one game in six World Cup appearances.

"Japan reached the knockout stages at the 2002 soccer World Cup and we need to match that," he said. "It will be important in terms of ticket sales if we have a team capable of that.

"We must improve. Japan's World Cup results have been miserable."

RugbyU: Hong Kong, Singapore still in Japan's World Cup venue plan
30 July 2009
Agence France Presse

Japan will fight to stage some of its rugby World Cup games in Hong Kong and Singapore, a senior official said Thursday, despite demands from the sport's governing body that it host all the matches.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) council on Tuesday awarded the 2019 tournament to Japan, making it the first Asian host of the sport's premier quadrennial competition.

But the IRB said matches must be staged within host nations, despite Japan's bid having included allocating some pool matches to Hong Kong and Singapore in what it called a "tender for Asia" to help globalise the sport.

"We will leave the question to future talks with the IRB," Japan Rugby Football Union vice president Nobby Mashimo told AFP after returning from Dublin, where he led Japan's bid team at the council's meeting.

"It will take a long time to reach a final decision," he said, adding that the question must be settled a few years before the start of ticket sales for the 2019 event.

"The IRB has told us to stage matches at home, unless there are special reasons," Mashimo said.

"With this in mind, we will insist on the advantages of Hong Kong and Singapore," he added. "We will try to make our case understood and create conditions that are acceptable to the participants there."

In literature submitted for the bid, Japan said sharing some World Cup matches with the two former British colonies would help cultivate new fans and create business opportunities in a region with emerging corporate power.

Hong Kong is home to the world's biggest rugby Sevens tournament, and Singapore is located close to the rugby superpower nations of Australia and New Zealand.

But the hot tropical weather in Singapore has been cited as a disadvantage for teams who might have to play there, Mashimo said.

"As everybody knows, Hong Kong has a huge seating capacity for rugby matches," he said.

Mashimo said he had also stressed to IRB leaders Singapore's geographical proximity to Australia and New Zealand.

"I pointed out that Singapore is in an economic zone including Australia," he said.

Singapore is scheduled to complete a rugby stadium in a sports complex in 2011, he added.

I hope they Singapore and Hongkong do get to stage some worldcup games. England are host of the 2015 and they are adding the Millenium Stadium in Wales. So if they can do it. So should Japan.

I hope they Singapore and Hongkong do get to stage some worldcup games. England are host of the 2015 and they are adding the Millenium Stadium in Wales. So if they can do it. So should Japan.

It's hardly the same thing. Cardiff isn't a seven hour plane ride away from England.

Actually, the IRB defines second tier nations as the following (with current IRB rankings):

Fiji (9)
Samoa (11)
Canada (13)
Japan (14)
Tonga (15)
USA (18)
Romania (19)



Really? I think most Canadians would be surprised to know that we even have a team. 13th in the world? Good god, how's that even possible!

Beating up on Barbados, Bermuda and the USA.

Really? I think most Canadians would be surprised to know that we even have a team. 13th in the world? Good god, how's that even possible!

Well if Canada does a decent showing in the next Rugby WC, then one can possibly expect a Canadian bid. A great excuse to upgrade and build new stadiums! Even if the legacy isn't necessarily for Rugby...

Well if Canada does a decent showing in the next Rugby WC, then one can possibly expect a Canadian bid. A great excuse to upgrade and build new stadiums! Even if the legacy isn't necessarily for Rugby...
The good thing about such a plan is that a Canadian gridiron is roughly the same size as a rugby pitch (maybe a little narrower), so the post-WC transition wouldn't really be much of a chore.

Really? I think most Canadians would be surprised to know that we even have a team. 13th in the world? Good god, how's that even possible!

Yes Canada actually participates and does fairly well in Rugby. An awesome sport to play and pretty decent to watch as well.

The good thing about such a plan is that a Canadian gridiron is roughly the same size as a rugby pitch (maybe a little narrower), so the post-WC transition wouldn't really be much of a chore.

Yeah, Rugby fields are about 10 yards wider than the Canadian fields but that extra width needed would just cover the space where Canadian Football players seem to all stand up along the sidelines. Rugby only has a bench for substitues and both teams are located on the same side, which takes up far less room. Plus high side line fences are not essential like in the CFL and NFL because the bench tend to sit as opposide to standing and blocking the view. That would suit the Rogers Centre.

You don't seem to see too many Rugby fields at international level using the full traditional 20m deep in goal areas (end zone) anymore. Most are 11m for Rugby Union and maybe up to 15m on Shit grounds like Perth's Subiaco Oval. In the pics below at Commonwealth Stadium the in goal areas are not deep enough for the WC but only because that have decided to remain with in the gass infield, it it was a WC or Test match, turf would have to be laid on a bit of the track to complete the full in goal area such as in the last pic of ANZ Stadium (Stadium Australia era).

http://www.saltcityrugby.org/DSC00329.JPG
http://www.saltcityrugby.org/DSC00328.JPG
http://www.worldonwheelz.com/sydney/photo%20album/images/a7stad%20australia_jpg.jpg

Only Stadium issue in the way of Canada hosting a RWC is that the International Rugby Board currently doesn't approve the use of Synthetic surfaces for officially sanctioned internationals.

What a shame. Canada would have been better off staying with their commonwealth brothers in playing rugby instead of modifying their game like our country did. Rugby is a minor sport in Ireland and Australia yet they fare pretty well on the international stage. Canada could have been there.

^^ I'm not sure that rugby is a "minor sport" in Ireland.... Like in France, it's not the first sport, but it's much more popular than indoor sports for example (which are truly minor here, just like in Ireland I presume) !



For me that looks like a whole nation in its stadium (as it should be everywhere): :cheers:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3493/3316148582_2793d462c7_o.jpg
http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/4834/42856845949601a8026b.jpg
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/610/2304495882a3e904ea96o.jpg
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/6540/capturedcran20090903091.jpg
http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/4171/crokepark2.jpg



;) :grouphug:
http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/4642/irelandscallonbigscreen.jpg

eIxe5ooQtqI&feature=related

What a shame. Canada would have been better off staying with their commonwealth brothers in playing rugby instead of modifying their game like our country did. Rugby is a minor sport in Ireland and Australia yet they fare pretty well on the international stage. Canada could have been there.

Any sport that attracts 80,000+ people regularly can hardly be called minor.

Yes Canada actually participates and does fairly well in Rugby. An awesome sport to play and pretty decent to watch as well.

I'm flabbergasted at how Canada manages to field a team capable of 13th when you consider where the sport is in this country. It's very impressive, but unfortunately I don't think it will translate into support amongst the general population.

I read somewhere that rugby was one of the most popular sports in Canada back around 1900, but then the sport just fell right off the map. It's bizarre how a sport can lose it's grip in a country like that. I suppose if it happened, the reverse can happen too.

Do you think rugby appeals to the same crowd that watch (Canadian) football? If so, rugby might find it tough making inroads. Football is quite entrenched in the dominant culture, especially on the prairies, Nova Scotia, and increasingly in Quebec.

You're from Saskatchewan, are you not?

What a shame. Canada would have been better off staying with their commonwealth brothers in playing rugby instead of modifying their game like our country did. Rugby is a minor sport in Ireland and Australia yet they fare pretty well on the international stage. Canada could have been there.

I suppose it depends on your point of view. Canada developed her own sports, and I think it's something Canadians can be proud of. If Canada had stuck with rugby, there may never have been gridiron. Many people don't appreciate gridiron, but that sport has made a huge cultural contribution to both Canadian and US society.

I'm flabbergasted at how Canada manages to field a team capable of 13th when you consider where the sport is in this country. It's very impressive, but unfortunately I don't think it will translate into support amongst the general population.

I read somewhere that rugby was one of the most popular sports in Canada back around 1900, but then the sport just fell right off the map. It's bizarre how a sport can lose it's grip in a country like that. I suppose if it happened, the reverse can happen too.

Do you think rugby appeals to the same crowd that watch (Canadian) football? If so, rugby might find it tough making inroads. Football is quite entrenched in the dominant culture, especially on the prairies, Nova Scotia, and increasingly in Quebec.

You're from Saskatchewan, are you not?


im pretty sure that the sport of rugby league (not rugby union) would far better suit nfl and cfl fans. they are starting a professional rugby league competition in america which will be featured on nbc, so you might see the sport of rugby league kick off in the states in a few years

im pretty sure that the sport of rugby league (not rugby union) would far better suit nfl and cfl fans. they are starting a professional rugby league competition in america which will be featured on nbc, so you might see the sport of rugby league kick off in the states in a few years

As far as America goes, rugby is probably further developed in Canada than the United States. As mentioned, some Canadian football stadiums could accommodate rugby. Can the same be said for US football stadiums? The US football field is much smaller than the Canadian football field.

As mentioned, some Canadian football stadiums could accommodate rugby. Can the same be said for US football stadiums? The US football field is much smaller than the Canadian football field.

Not too many can. American Football field are 49m wide to Rugby Union's max of 70m. I do believe the IRB permits 65m wide fields if both team agree. Argentina play their national games at the River Plate which is marked out 65m wide, a good way to restrict an expansive running team. Australia has played Scotland in a fully sactioned test in Glasgow's Hampton Park with the field dimensions set at 65m wide instead of the 68/70m Australia is used to.

Anyway, too few American stadiums can properly fit even a 65m / 100m field with 11m in goal areas (Rugby League standard is 8m deep in goal areas), so that 71.4 yds / 134 yds. Plus the IRB required minimum of 6m (6.6 yds) space from side line to fence. Then you have the common high fences of American football stadiums so the front few rows can see over the players and coaches on the side lines, resulting in that potenial space being lost to the designed sight lines. Unlike CFL fields, a Rugby field can not be tapered in the in goal areas to fit the stadium like Edmontons Commonwealth Stadium.

The only American Football stadiums I can think off the top of my head that can fit a rugby Union field would be Kyle Field in Texas, Rentschler Field in Hartford and LandShark Stadium in Miami (wide enough in football mode but one end would would have to be slightly retracted like the baseball configuration to fit the fields length). Any american athletics stadium could obviously fit a Rugby field. The Australian Kangaroos (national Rugby League) team has played the USA on Franklin Field in Philly, also on Field turf where soem Australians suffered serious knee injuries, no doubt to the lack of familiarity to the surface.

As most if not all CFL stadium can fit a Rugby Union field, I thought I'd try and make a list of American Stadiums that can fit a Rugby union field with IRB permmited but compromised dimensions of 120m/65m (71.4yds/132yds).
Note: Some venue can fit a full 68m/122m field.
Surfaces have not been considered, only physical dimensions.
Stadiums with Athletics Tracks will be have an *.

Alabama:
Jordan Hare Stadium - Auburn Tigers, Auburn
Legion Field Field - UAB Blazers, Birmingham

California:
LA Coliseum (need temporary stand removed) - USC Trojans, Los Angeles

Connecticut:
Rentschler Field - UConn, Harford

Flordia:
Land Shark Stadium - Miami Dolphins and Miami U, Miami Gardens

Illinois:
McAndrew Stadium* - Southern Illinois Salukis (great dogs), Carbondale
Memorial Stadium - Illinois Fighting Illini, Champaign

Indiana:
Scheumann Stadium - Ball State, Munice

Iowa:
Drake Stadium* - Drake Bulldogs, Des Moines

Michigan:
Ryearson Stadium* - East Michigan Eagles, Ypsilanti

New Jersey:
Rutgers Stadium - Rutgers, Piscataway

New Mexico:
University Stadium - New Mexico Lobos, Albuquerque

New York:
Schoellkopf Field* - Cornell Big Blue, Ithaca
UB Stadium* - University of Buffallo Bulls, Amhurst

North Carolina:
Kidd Brewer Stadium* - Appalacian State, Boone
Wallace Wade Stadium* - Duke, Durhan

Texas:
Kyle Field - Texas A&M, College Station
Fouts Field* - North Texas Eagles, Denton

Washington:
Husky Stadium* - Washington Huskies, Seattle

Wallace Wade and Kidd Brewer can fit a rugby field?

I know Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte can, they was some talk of using it as one but then the rugby team realized it wouldn't be cheap.

Wallace Wade and Kidd Brewer can fit a rugby field?

I know Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte can, they was some talk of using it as one but then the rugby team realized it wouldn't be cheap.

The fact that they have athletics tracks sugests that they could fit one, I'm not saying that the in field area can but the whole sporting area inide of the stands can fit a Rugby field, as I said in the previous post I have ignored surfaces, ie the presence of a track, Astro or Field Turf.

As for Bank of America Stadium. It is wide enough but being only 122m long at its maximum fence to fence it would leave the end goal line against the fence. If a rugby team was going to use it or if it was for Rugby 7's the IRB is far more flexible for lower levels of the game, and they could have got away with 5m in goal areas to make a total field length of 121 yards, in that case the whole field would be visible.

After making the above list it has occured to me that for a World Cup to be hosted in North America and other minor rugby countries the IRB would probably be willing to use smaller dimensions, say 65m/116m (8m in goals). This would make available many more American Stadiums and Soccer stadiums in the likes of Italy and Japan.

Rugby League is less worried about the depth of in goal areas, which has seen many games played at Old Trafford while Wembley was being rebuilt.

^^ I'm not sure that rugby is a "minor sport" in Ireland.... Like in France, it's not the first sport, but it's much more popular than indoor sports for example (which are truly minor here, just like in Ireland I presume) !
Any sport that attracts 80,000+ people regularly can hardly be called minor.
Bad wording. Australia's drawn 100,000 for a Bledisloe, too. I just meant that it's not the first or second (or maybe third) most popular sport in those countries. Outside of internationals, both nations have only four provincial teams playing the game at the top level.

I read somewhere that rugby was one of the most popular sports in Canada back around 1900, but then the sport just fell right off the map. It's bizarre how a sport can lose it's grip in a country like that. I suppose if it happened, the reverse can happen too.
Well, it didn't fall off the map per se -- it evolved into and was succeeded by the McGill version of the game that became popular around 1870 (which McGill passed on to Harvard). Canadian Rugby didn't become popularly known as Canadian Football until about the 1940s when the CRFU began to allow the recruitment of American imports, who referred to the gridiron game as football.

Bad wording. Australia's drawn 100,000 for a Bledisloe, too. I just meant that it's not the first or second (or maybe third) most popular sport in those countries. Outside of internationals, both nations have only four provincial teams playing the game at the top level.

I know Australia have drawn big crowds, I was including them along with Ireland in my original post.

I don't see the point you are making with regards to the provinces? Ireland only have four provinces, so do Wales. Australia have four, well New Zealand and South Africa only have 5 and the odds are on the 15th franchise going to Australia.

I know that they aren't the most popular sports in there country, but I'm just saying to dismiss them as minor sports is a bit unfair. I would call Rugby a minor sport in the USA. By your logic, basketball is a minor sport in America, as (I think I'm right in saying) it's not as popular as baseball or gridiron.

I already said my original comment was poorly worded, guy.

The fact that they have athletics tracks sugests that they could fit one, I'm not saying that the in field area can but the whole sporting area inide of the stands can fit a Rugby field, as I said in the previous post I have ignored surfaces, ie the presence of a track, Astro or Field Turf.

A lot of American stadiums have tracks with a tighter radius than international tracks. Wallace Wade is only about 61 meters wide if I remember correctly.

There are plans to rip out the track though, I believe.

I already said my original comment was poorly worded, guy.

Oh right!

Sorry, I read that as you saying my reply was badly worded, hence my confusion!
:nuts:

A lot of American stadiums have tracks with a tighter radius than international tracks. Wallace Wade is only about 61 meters wide if I remember correctly.
Yes the infield is 61m wide, but a thanks to the ruler tool on google earth, one can see that a tempory turf could be laid over the track.
There are plans to rip out the track though, I believe.
Really? thats cool, I'll have to read more.

A RWC will take place in North America with in the next 40 years so I do enjoy familiaring myself with the possible infrastructure, though I doubt many will still be in the same state by the time the US, Canada or both bid and host.

The very little I know of Rugby in the USA seems to be show most support is in the North East, California and Colorado, well the USA Eagles seem to play their internationals in these areas. Alabama and other southern states seem to have football stadiums that could, can fit a Rugby Field but I doubt there is anything close to support for games.

I really think it should go to Argentina at some point. I don't know how big the sport is their or if it has a Rugby Union league set up, but this country's Rugby is on the up and up so they should be contenders.

Argentina to host JWC 2010

The JWC 2010 will be hosted in the Littoral region of Argentina

The International Rugby Board has announced that Argentina will host the IRB Junior World Championship 2010.

“The Championship is hugely important to the IRB in terms of providing a platform for the next generation of international Rugby stars to showcase their skills on the international stage and develop into elite athletes. It also plays a significant role in increasing global playing standards. Argentina has the facilities and infrastructure to ensure that the Tournament will be organised to a very high standard which is vital for its success.”

“The Union has achieved significant growth in player numbers since 2007 and continues to produce outstanding results on the international stage. A key strategic objective of the Union is to bring elite international Rugby to Argentina on a regular basis and hosting the IRB Junior World Championship next year provides an excellent opportunity to showcase the best Under 20 players in the world to its passionate Rugby community.”

The tournament will be played in Argentina’s Littoral region. Rosario, Santa Fe and Paraná will all host matches, bringing a festival atmosphere to a tournament which provides the future stars of the Game with a high-intensity platform to showcase their talent.

“We are extremely impressed with what the Littoral region can offer. Aside from the world class training and playing facilities, the Littoral region is ideally situated to reach out to new Rugby fans in an area where there has been significant growth in participation in recent years. I am looking forward to what will be an exciting chapter in the history of the tournament,” said IRB Tournaments Manager Philippe Bourdarias.


http://www.irb.com/jwc/news/newsid=2031668,printer.htmx

Pretty lame. Isn't Tucumán the rugby hotbed?

Well, it didn't fall off the map per se -- it evolved into and was succeeded by the McGill version of the game that became popular around 1870 (which McGill passed on to Harvard). Canadian Rugby didn't become popularly known as Canadian Football until about the 1940s when the CRFU began to allow the recruitment of American imports, who referred to the gridiron game as football.

It's true that Canada altered rugby into 'rugby-football' to form a new distinct sport, but that was in the 1860s-1870s as you mentioned. At the turn of the century, both rugby and rugby-football co-existed and were popular. Isn't it true that it's only at this juncture that rugby declined, while rugby-football became part of the dominant culture on the entire continent?

That rugby-football dropped the 'rugby' from its name to be simply called football or Canadian football is neither here nor there. It was already a distinct sport, or what we now call gridiron, well before the name change.

Judging from history, rugby on this continent has suffered from the preference for Canadian football. Whether both sports can prosper together is a big question mark. Perhaps, a rugby World Cup in Canada would be just what the sport needs to test the viability of rugby's return to prominence here? Canada may be a better choice than the United States, as football is even more entrenched in the national culture there than it is in Canada. Football culture in Canada is strong, but may be more open to supporting rugby as well.

"Rugby football" has always been the name of the game, as seen in the governing bodies: Rugby Football Union and Rugby Football league.

"Rugby football" has always been the name of the game, as seen in the governing bodies: Rugby Football Union and Rugby Football league.

And if you go further back it was just called "football" (before the Football Association was formed and it became increasingly necessary to differentiate between the two codes). Hence clubs like Blackheath Football Club (1858), Bath Football Club (1865), Harlequin Football Club (1866), Leicester Football Club (1880) etc. etc. In the 1908 Olympics, medals were awarded in "football" for both soccer and rugby.

We've already strayed well off topic, so I'd like to point out that Argentina look set to join the Tri-Nations in 2012:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/8254026.stm

seeing that Argentina seem set to join the Trio in the southern hemispheres comp, I was thinking, all the travelling does get anoying, so why dont they propose that the competition be held in 1 country for the year, and the next year another team will play host ?

Sounds like a complete non-starter to me. Think what it would be like to have three consecutive years without either Australia or New Zealand visiting - the supporters wouldn't like it one bit and SARU would lose shedloads of money. Also, Australia v New Zealand is currently guaranteed to fill Homebush or attract 75,000+ to the MCG - not so much Bloemfontein or Port Elizabeth...

[QUOTE=isaidso;42309834]I'm flabbergasted at how Canada manages to field a team capable of 13th when you consider where the sport is in this country. It's very impressive, but unfortunately I don't think it will translate into support amongst the general population.


You're from Saskatchewan, are you not?

Not. Perth, Australia. Canadian orginally. I actually get to watch Real footy, AFL as well as Rugby. I would love for Australia to maybe host. A great nation, but better to spread it afround to lesser countries.

What's 'Real footy'? Do you mean Aussie Rules Football? I don't know anything about Rugby even though I'm originally from England. Has Australia never hosted or do you mean you'd like Australia to host again?

'Lesser' countries? :nuts:

Oh brother!

And if you go further back it was just called "football" (before the Football Association was formed and it became increasingly necessary to differentiate between the two codes).

So, where does the word 'rugby' come from?

What's 'Real footy'? Do you mean Aussie Rules Football? I don't know anything about Rugby even though I'm originally from England. Has Australia never hosted or do you mean you'd like Australia to host again?

'Lesser' countries? :nuts:

Oh brother!



So, where does the word 'rugby' come from?

If he's talking about rugby then Australia hosted the 2003 tournament.


Rugby is the place and the school where the game started.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rugby_School