Scrum of the Earth /

The IRB has today revealed that a record ten unions have made bids to host the Rugby World Cup in either 2015 or 2019, including surprise bids from Russia and Jamaica, both of whom didn't qualify for the 2007 World Cup. Australia, England, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Scotland, South Africa and Wales have made bids to stage the 2015 tournament, while Australia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Russia, Scotland, South Africa and Wales are want to host in 2019.

IRB honcho Bernard Lapasset had this to say about it all, "This is tremendous news for Rugby World Cup. The fact that 10 member unions have signalled their intention to tender for the 2015 and 2019 tournaments reflects the growing global prestige of the Rugby World Cup. The IRB Council will announce the RWC 2015 and 2019 host unions in July 2009, six years prior to the first tournament and 10 years prior to the 2019 event."