England 2015 'will not disappoint'
Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:26
English powers: Rugby Football Union
Lawrence Dallaglio says it is almost enough to tempt him out of retirement while Prime Minister Gordon Brown has hailed it as a 'fantastic achievement' - we have all the reaction following the news that England will host the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
The United Kingdom's 'decade of Sport' is now just one event away from being completed after the RWC joined the 2012 Olympics, the 2013 Rugby League World Cup and the 2014 Commonwealth Games as events set to be staged in the UK - only the 2018 FIFA World Cup now remains on the wishlist.
Speaking after hearing the news on Tuesday, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown expressed his delight at the International Rugby Boards decision: "This is a fantastic achievement.
"The Rugby World Cup is yet another tremendous event to add to the country's decade of sport and another chance to show our nation's passion for sport and what world class facilities we have to offer."
Brown though was not the only man over the moon at the decision. Francis Baron, CEO of the RFU, commented: "The RFU, and every rugby fan in England, will be thrilled that we have been chosen to host RWC2015. This is a fantastic addition to the UK's Decade of World Sport which started this year with the Cricket 20/20 World Cup and which continues in 2010 with the Women's Rugby World Cup, followed by the Olympics in 2012 and now the Rugby World Cup in 2015.
"We have made a commitment to the IRB Council to host the most successful tournament ever, building on the outstanding success of France 2007 and what we are sure will be a great tournament in New Zealand in 2011. We will not disappoint them. We will host a festival of rugby that will fill our iconic stadia with excited fans and deliver a global platform for the game. We can't wait to get going and would like to thank the IRB Council for giving us this honour."
Two former internationals who have been heavily involved in the bid to take the World Cup to England, Will Greenwood and Dallaglio, said they were both delighted that England would host rugby’s showpiece event in six years time.
Greenwood, a Rugby World Cup winner in 2003, said: "What excites me about a tournament in England is the opportunity to use rugby as a force for good in the world and the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy. I have seen at first hand how rugby can change lives on an individual basis - now we have a chance to change many lives in England and around the world. It is a huge opportunity and a wonderful challenge."
Dallaglio meanwhile said the prospect of playing a World Cup in England was almost enough to make him consider lacing up his boots once more.
"The world's best players will now have a chance to play in some of the world's best stadia and supporters can look forward to a feast of rugby. It's almost enough to bring me out of retirement!"
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