Friday 5 June 2015 17:37, UK
France, Ireland, Italy, South Africa and the United States have all expressed their interest in hosting the Rugby World Cup in 2023.
Representatives from the five countries this week gathered in London for two days of information-sharing briefing.
"The briefing was the first step in the expression of interest phase of the process, which over the course of the next year will provide potential candidates with an opportunity to participate in the Rugby World Cup 2015 observer and comprehensive knowledge transfer programmes," World Rugby said in a statement.
The bidding process opened on May 14 with the deadline for confirmation of a union to tender set for June 2016 and the final decision to be taken on May 2017.
Rugby World Cup tournament director Alan Gilpin said: "We are delighted with the strong level of serious interest from unions and governments in Rugby World Cup 2023 at this very early stage, which highlights the enormous hosting appeal of Rugby World Cup as a low-risk, high-return economic, social and sporting driver and we welcome further dialogue as the process progresses."
England host this year's edition from September through to November before it goes to Japan in 2019.
World Rugby Chief Executive and Rugby World Cup Limited Managing Director Brett Gosper said: "Rugby World Cup must continue to inspire, to reach out and attract new participants and audiences and deliver the financial platform for rugby to continue its phenomenal growth.
"It must also incentivise and excite host countries and we are currently undertaking a complete review of the hosting model to strengthen the partnership between host and owner and further the benefits for all as we enter an exciting new era for our sport."
