IRB have final say on WC venues
Thu, 30 Jul 2009 09:58
The International Rugby Board could deny Wales the opportunity to enjoy home matches during the 2015 World Cup after it was revealed that the sports governing body still had to approve England proposal to host matches at the Millennium Stadium.
The RFU and the Welsh Rugby Union have struck a deal which would see five pool matches and two quarterfinals played at Wales 74,500 capacity stadium but the IRB of course remain the final decision makers regarding the venues for their showpiece event.
Much like Japan will need to justify why they might stage matches in Hong Kong and Singapore, England will need to provide the IRB with ''compelling reason'' to take RWC matches out of the country.
IRB chief executive Mike Miller said: ''They [Wales] may not necessarily be there [at the Millennium Stadium].
"We will have to look at the match schedule and see how that would work.
"The vote was for matches in the host territory only. The host unions can then come back to the Rugby World Cup board and if they want to propose matches in other territories we would look at it and see if it met certain criteria.
"It would need to be in the best interests of the game globally, enhance the showcase and could it increase the finances?
"There would be no problem necessarily but we have to have the discussion.
"We will see when they come back with their proposals, have a look and see what is in the best interests of Rugby World Cup."
In response to the issue, Francis Baron, chief executive of the RFU, said: "What we want to do is maximise the impact of a World Cup in England for the benefit of rugby in the British Isles.
"We clearly want to get the maximum benefit we can for Scotland, Wales and Ireland from a World Cup in England.
"But it is not our final decision as to where individual pools are placed. This is very much a partnership with Rugby World Cup Ltd. They have the final say on venues and locations."
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