World Cup boost for England

England moved a giant step closer to hosting the 2015 Rugby World Cup after tournament organisers recommended their bid to the International Rugby Board.

The Rugby Football Union held off competition from South Africa, Italy and Japan to receive the endorsement from Rugby World Cup Limited.

The final decision will be made by the IRB's council on July 28. Japan have been recommended as hosts for the 2019 World Cup.

World Cup (RWCL) organisers believe a combination of England and Japan provides "the best balanced combination of hosts for the continued worldwide development of the game."

England's commercial power would allow RWCL to maximise their revenues in 2015, allowing them to take the World Cup to an emerging nation for the first time four years later.

RWCL chairman Bernard Lapasset said: "As the revenue generated from RWC is vital to the IRB's ongoing development plans (there is a preference for it) to be held in one of the major rugby markets on a regular basis.

"However, the commercial success of RWC also means we can now consider placing the tournament in developing rugby markets to both reflect and assist the game's continued strategic growth.

"It is all about finding the right combination. The IRB Council's decision to award two tournaments simultaneously has assisted in that vision.

"In the heart of the UK's proposed Decade of Sport, RWCL believe the RFU will deliver a RWC that will capture the imagination, attract strong attendances at superb venues and maximise the festival experience for the millions of attending supporters.

England would use iconic stadia such as Wembley, Anfield, Old Trafford and the Emirates Stadium for the tournament, with the final to be played at Twickenham.