The International Rugby Board Council have ratified plans to award England the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
RFU succeed in World Cup bid
The International Rugby Board Council have ratified plans to award England the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
England beat off bids from Italy and South Africa to receive the backing of competition organisers Rugby World Cup Ltd to host the 2015 tournament.
And despite bids by Italy and South Africa to scupper Tuesday's vote by members of the IRB Council in Dublin, England finally received the support they needed - although there were some anxious moments as the announcement was delayed twice.
The 2019 RWC will be hosted in Japan, after their bid to become the first of the lesser nations to hold the tournament was voted through.
A total of 16 members voted in favour of the RWCL's recommendations, with 10 voting against them.
The 2015 World Cup final will now be staged at Twickenham - with the RFU having also reached agreement to use eight of the country's leading football grounds including Wembley, Old Trafford, Anfield and the Emirates Stadium.
It is understood the RFU have looked at including the Olympic Stadium in their plans if 2012 officials decide against reducing its capacity to 25,000 after the Games, while the Millennium Stadium could also be used to host some games after the Welsh Rugby Union made the ground available.
Joy
RFU chairman Martyn Thomas expressed his relief at the announcement, saying: "There is a feeling of great joy for England and Japan, but also commiserations for South Africa and Italy. We have been there before so I know how they are feeling."
England's "low risk, high return" World Cup bid earned the initial RWCL recommendation because it is projected to generate £300million for the IRB, who rely on the tournament for 98 per cent of their income.
On top of the £80m tournament fee, the "mature" UK market would attract a further £220m in commercial returns from broadcasting, sponsorship and merchandising.
That figure is understood to be at least 20 per cent more than the bids from either South Africa or Italy and 50 per cent greater than France generated from the 2007 World Cup.
England last held the tournament in 1991, when Will Carling's men went on to reach the final - while games were held at Twickenham in 1999.
