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2015 IRB Rugby World Cup


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Football clubs 'legally bound to host rugby'

Organisers of the rugby World Cup in 2015 have told football's Premier League they have a 'legal and moral' obligation to free up stadiums for the event.

Some of the Premier League's top clubs – such as Manchester United, Newcastle and Liverpool – signed an agreement for the use of their grounds with the tournament's organisers when the bid for the event was submitted in 2009.

However, they did this without permission from the Premier League whose season will clash with the rugby which is due to take place between September 18th and October 31st.

The Premier League will not set their fixtures for that season until June 2015. That is far too late for organisers of the World Cup, who need to finalise their chosen stadiums by early next year before starting to sell the 2.9 million tickets on offer.

"I am not surprised things are coming to the crunch at this time," former RFU chief executive Francis Baron told the Daily Telegraph.

"But as far as I am concerned all the stadiums in our bid have all signed venue-guarantee letters and they are legally obligated to provide their stadiums subject to resolving the actual dates.

"Of course you always had to address the scheduling issues much nearer the time. You couldn’t do it eight years in advance.

“What you can do eight years’ in advance is make an absolute, unequivocal commitment that you are going to provide your stadium and honour the clean stadium conditions and that you will work in good faith to find solutions to the scheduling problems when they arise nearer the date.

“They all have strong obligation, both moral and legal, to deliver."

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said he hoped that the Premier League could accommodate the rugby, but only on its own terms.

"It’s quite difficult because we won’t have a fixture list until July 2015 for that period, but we are talking to them about the practicalities,” he said.

"We will do what we can, but what we can do is limited.

"Football has to have primacy in a football stadium because these are football stadiums. If we can accommodate rugby around that, then of course we will and we would be happy to.

"But there is only so much you can do in cities in terms of fitting the matches in. In Manchester, for instance, we would have City or United playing on each weekend.”

The Rugby World Cup will cost around £80 million to stage, with £25m of that being underwritten by the government.

http://uk.eurosport....-143839757.html

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Olympic Stadium confirmed on 2015 Rugby World Cup shortlist

The Olympic Stadium and five Premier League football grounds have been confirmed as potential match venues for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Just three of the 17 shortlisted are rugby venues: Gloucester's Kingsholm, the Millennium Stadium and Twickenham.

England's biggest club rugby ground - Leicester Tigers' Welford Road - has not been shortlisted.

The home grounds of Manchester United, Newcastle, Sunderland, Aston Villa and Southampton are all on the shortlist.

The Amex Stadium in Brighton, Bristol City's Ashton Gate, Pride Park in Derby, Coventry's Ricoh Arena, Elland Road in Leeds and Stadium MK in Milton Keynes are also included, as well as Wembley.

The city of Leicester is still represented by the King Power Stadium, which has a capacity of more than 32,000 and tournament organisers believe it has more suitable off-field facilities than Welford Road.

The final list of 10-12 venues will be finalised early in 2013 after the tournament match schedule has been formulated. The pool draw is being held on December 3 in London.

...

BBC

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RFU look to maximise on World Cup legacy after learning from mistakes of 2003

By ALEX LOWE

PUBLISHED: 00:16 GMT, 1 November 2012 | UPDATED: 10:01 GMT, 1 November 2012

The Rugby Football Union have learned the lessons from 2003 and tonight launched plans to maximise the legacy of hosting the 2015 Rugby World Cup on home soil.

When England returned triumphant from Australia nine years ago, the RFU were not ready to deal with the immediate spike in interest in the sport.

There were not, for example, enough coaches in the grass-roots game to handle the upsurge in participation numbers and the RFU are determined not to make the same mistake again.

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Making it count: RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie, England's World Cup winner Jason Leonard and Rugby Development Director Steve Grainger with the Webb Ellis trophy

With three years to go until the Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham, the RFU revealed a seven-point plan to make 'the oval ball the ball of choice' in England.

'The key learning from 2003 was that we didn't plan in advance. The coaches and referees just weren't there,' said Steve Grainger, the RFU's development director.

'That is absolutely what we are doing now.'

The RFU will invest £25million into 500 grass-roots clubs and a further £1million into qualifying 6,500 new referees and coaches and bringing 5,000 volunteers into the game.

The All Schools programme is aimed at giving a million children a chance to play rugby, with a target of introducing the sport to 750 secondary state schools by 2019.

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Missed opportunity: England missed the chance to capitalise on Sir Clive Woodward's 2003 World Cup winning side

'The World Cup in 1991 was in England and we saw how the public's perception of rugby changed," said Jason Leonard, who played in that tournament and eventually won the World Cup in 2003.

'But with the legacy planning for this World Cup, we are going to hit the ground running. It is getting volunteers and clubs involved.

'I think this will be the best ever World Cup and we have got to make sure we push that all the way through. This is a great opportunity for English rugby.'

Although the RFU are looking to use the 2015 World Cup to spread the game and capture new players and supporters, it is unlikely that England will play any Test matches away from Twickenham in the build-up to the tournament.

'We need to look at methods of engaging with the World Cup around the country over the next three years. We have to think about ways of creating interest and getting people excited,' said RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie.

'We have to look at where do England play, when do they play? You would never say never but there is a strong financial reason why England matches are played at Twickenham.

'It is not just as easy as taking a match somewhere. There are all sorts of other things we can look at for games beyond the England senior team.'

Daily Mail

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World Cup seedings at stake in autumn internationals

While the next Rugby World Cup in England is still more than three years away, the events of the next month may have a direct bearing on shaping its outcome.

On the surface, the autumn Tests are merely the latest building block in a four-year cycle between global gatherings, a chance for the home nations to assess their options before the Six Nations, blood some new players, and claim the odd southern hemisphere scalp.

But this year's matches have an added edge, given the draw for the 2015 tournament will take place on Monday 3 December, two days after the forthcoming international series ends.

The top four in the International Rugby Board world rankings on that date will

avoid each other in the World Cup group stages, while those ranked five to eight will only face one other top-eight nation.

So England (currently fourth), France (fifth) and Wales (sixth) - separated by a point or so in the world governing body's convoluted system - are not short of motivation if they want to improve their prospects of an easier passage into the knockout stages in three years' time.

Neither are Ireland - who will probably need to beat either South Africa or Argentina to avoid dropping out of the top eight - or Scotland, who will likely need to win at least two of their three autumn Tests to make it into the second group of seeds.

...

World Test rankings Nation Rating point

New Zealand 92.91

Australia 86.37

South Africa 84.69

England 83.09

France 83.03

Wales 82.26

Ireland 79.85

Argentina 78.63

Scotland 77.97

Samoa 76.23

full article: BBC

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Have to admit that the growth of rugby in England is still stuck in the mindset of Posh/Stuck Up/Upper Middleclass/Public School set, hence another hybrid created for the 'lower classes' - League.

Rugby Union just lacks appeal or should I say, accessability...and is overeshadowed by the monster that created it - Football!

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There's no change to the top four rankings in world rugby ahead of the pool draw for the 2015 World Cup.

New Zealand remained top of the International Rugby Board's rankings ahead of Monday's pool draw for the 2015 World Cup in England despite ending this year with a stunning 38-21 defeat by England.

Saturday's Twickenham trouncing was not enough to knock the reigning world champions off the summit and nor was it sufficient for fifth-placed England to break into the top four of the standings.

Meanwhile, Wales's 14-12 loss to Australia in Cardiff dropped them into ninth place and the third tier of seeds.

This could potentially hamper the chances of Wales, semi-finalists at last year's World Cup in New Zealand, reaching the knockout stages in three years' time as they will now face two currently higher-ranked sides in their pool, with only two going through to the quarter-finals.

Wales had to beat Australia on Saturday to avoid slipping from seventh place and they were on course for that victory at 12-9 ahead until Kurtley Beale's try with just 20 seconds left on the clock at the Millennium Stadium rescued a 14-12 win for the Wallabies.

Defeat dropped Wales below Samoa and Argentina in the IRB standings.

Australia were already assured of a place in band one for the draw after the previous weekend's narrow win over Italy, but the defeat of Wales allowed the Wallabies to close the gap to South Africa in second.

World Cup pool draw bands

Band 1: New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, France

Band 2: England, Ireland, Samoa, Argentina

Band 3: Wales, Italy, Tonga, Scotland

Leading IRB rankings after Saturday's matches (position, country, ranking points):

1. New Zealand 90.08

2. South Africa 86.94

3. Australia 86.87

4. France 85.07

5. England 83.90

6. Ireland 80.22

7. Samoa 78.71

8. Argentina 78.71

9. Wales 78.39

10. Italy 76.24

11. Tonga 76.10

12. Scotland 75.83

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1716819/NZ-S-Africa-Australia-top-IRB-rankings

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England drawn with Wales and Australia in 2015 Rugby World Cup

England have been drawn in the same 2015 Rugby World Cup pool as Wales and Australia.

Monday's draw, held at the Tate Modern art gallery in London, presents Stuart Lancaster's team with a tough task, although the hosts managed to avoid the world champions New Zealand, the team they beat at Twickenham two days ago.

England's group Pool A will be completed by two qualifiers, Oceania 1 (probably Fiji) and the play-off winner, possibly Uruguay.

Ireland have landed France, Italy, Americas 1 and Europe 2 in Pool D, while Scotland are in with Pool B rivals South Africa, Samoa, Asia 1 and Americas 2.

The All Blacks, meanwhile, look to have secured the easiest pool, being bracketed alongside Argentina, Tonga, Europe 1 and Africa 1.

The tournament kicks off on 18 September 2015, with Twickenham staging the final six weeks later.

2015 Rugby World Cup Group Stage

Pool A

Australia, England, Wales, Oceania 1, Play-off winner

Pool B

South Africa, Samoa, Scotland, Asia 1, Americas 2

Pool C

New Zealand, Argentina, Tonga, Europe 1, Africa 1

Pool D

France, Ireland, Italy, Americas 1, Europe 2

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/dec/03/2015-rugby-world-cup-draw

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:blink: Wales has really screwed up this year and have been punished accordingly. Pool A 'pool of death' looks really harsh though.

All Blacks got that equally dangerous Pool C 'easy rider pool', just as scary.

The EU clubbers all got Pool D by the looks of it.

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All Blacks got that equally dangerous Pool C 'easy rider pool', just as scary.

Only a Kiwi could be pessimistic about that draw - you're only worry is you'll come out of the group stages with no real testing matches behind you for the knockout matches.

Group A, though? Yikes!

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Only a Kiwi could be pessimistic about that draw - you're only worry is you'll come out of the group stages with no real testing matches behind you for the knockout matches.

Group A, though? Yikes!

Exactly my point...The ABs will never be tested in the Pool rounds. And this is always a weak point when they get drawn like this.

Pool A is where all the action will be.

The could've at least put South Africa or the ABs nemesis, France into Pool C.

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  • 3 months later...
Exeter's Sandy Park on 2015 Rugby World Cup shortlist

4 March 2013


Last updated at 15:37 GMT


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Exeter's Sandy Park has been added to the list of potential venues for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.


The ground has been added as redevelopment work on Bristol City's Ashton Gate stadium may not be completed in time for the event.


Sandy Park is only the fourth rugby venue on the list of 18 stadiums after Gloucester's Kingsholm, Twickenham and the Millennium Stadium.


The ground's capacity will rise to 12,000 in time for the tournament.


Sandy Park currently has a capacity of 10,700 but Exeter have been given permission to expand the ground up to 20,000.


"We want to ensure that Rugby World Cup 2015 is a truly national event, and Sandy Park, located in the rugby heartland of the south west, gives us the option to take the tournament as far and wide as possible," said England Rugby 2015 chief executive Debbie Jevans.


"I would like to thank Tony Rowe, chairman and chief executive of Exeter Chiefs, and Exeter City Council for their support over the last few weeks as we went through the process of adding Sandy Park to the long list.


"We are finalising venues and the match schedule in conjunction with Rugby World Cup Limited and will publish the final list in the next few weeks."


Exeter were promoted to the Premiership in 2010 and moved to Sandy Park in 2006 having played at their old County Ground home for 101 years.


Exeter chief executive Tony Rowe feels the event will benefit the whole of the south west of England.


"This announcement is exciting news not just for rugby followers, but for everyone living within the region," he said.


"We have been working incredibly closely with Exeter City Council in submitting a bid we hope will bring so much to so many people.


"Our hope now is that we will be among the venues that will be selected for what I know will be a superb Rugby World Cup here in England in 2015."


The final list of between 10 and 12 venues is set to be finalised later this year


Prospective 2015 Rugby World Cup venues


Amex Stadium, Brighton

Ashton Gate, Bristol

Pride Park, Derby

Ricoh Arena, Coventry

Elland Road, Leeds

Stadium MK, Milton Keynes

King Power Stadium, Leicester

Old Trafford, Manchester

St James's Park, Newcastle

Stadium of Light, Sunderland

Villa Park, Birmingham

St Mary's Stadium, Southampton

Wembley, London

Olympic Stadium, London

Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Twickenham, London

Kingsholm, Gloucester

Sandy Park, Exeter


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Plan to use Olympic Stadium at 2015 World Cup may lead to extended deadline for final submission of venues


Rugby World Cup organisers may be given more time to submit their final list of venues for the 2015 tournament if it means the Olympic Stadium being available, Telegraph Sport has learnt.


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Iconic venue: having the Olympic Stadium as a 2015 World Cup ground would help organisers fulfil an £80 million revenue pledge Photo: EPA


By Ben Rumsby 4:40AM GMT 06 Mar 2013


The England 2015 board met on Tuesday to discuss a preferred list of stadiums and match schedule for rugby’s showpiece event, with the inclusion of the London 2012 stadium still not decided.


An 18-strong long list – 17 announced in October and one on Monday – was expected to be whittled down to 12 tournament venues in time for submission to the International Rugby Board in Dublin on March 15.


However, it is understood the IRB would consider waiting for final confirmation if organisers requested an extension to get the Olympic Stadium on board.


March 15 could come too soon for a deal to be done to include it, with West Ham co-chairman David Gold claiming on Monday that an agreement over his club’s anchor tenancy of the 80,000-seat arena would not be signed until at least the following day.


Confirmation of West Ham’s relocation would allow plans to be cemented for a three-year, £190 million redevelopment of the venue, which would need to be paused in 2015 for rugby to be played there.


The London Legacy Development Corporation, which owns the stadium, England 2015 and the IRB are all extremely eager to find a way to include the iconic arena on the final list for the World Cup, not least because organisers need to sell as many tickets as possible to fulfil an £80 million revenue pledge.


Construction schedules agreed between the LLDC and West Ham could ultimately determine the viability of staging the tournament in Stratford in 2015.


The stadium would need to be in the kind of shape to host matches of an international standard, such as ensuring the provision of corporate hospitality.


A public announcement on the World Cup match schedule and venues had been expected by the end of the month and it remains to be seen if any extension granted by the IRB would mean a delay.


Organisers on Tuesday refused to comment on the outcome of their board meeting and it is understood all potential venues had already been sent emails denying any final decision had been taken.


However, the addition of Exeter’s Sandy Park to the long list on Monday is understood to be with its likely inclusion in mind at the expense of Bristol City’s Ashton Gate.


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RWC 2015 venues and schedule announced
(RUGBY WORLD CUP) Thursday 2 May 2013
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England will face the Oceania 1 qualifier at Twickenham in the opening match of Rugby World Cup 2015

-13 match venues confirmed to host one of the world’s largest sporting events
-Balanced Rugby World Cup 2015 match schedule
-Tournament vision celebrates Rugby and its unique values
-10 English cities plus Cardiff will host 48 matches
England Rugby 2015 (ER 2015) and Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) today announced the full list of match venues and published the match schedule for Rugby World Cup 2015.
The 13 match venues and host cities selected are: Twickenham Stadium (London), Wembley Stadium (London), Olympic Stadium (London), Millennium Stadium (Cardiff), Manchester City Stadium (Manchester), St James’ Park (Newcastle), Elland Road (Leeds), Leicester City Stadium (Leicester), Villa Park (Birmingham), Kingsholm Stadium (Gloucester), stadiummk (Milton Keynes), Brighton Community Stadium (Brighton) and Sandy Park (Exeter).
Taking the Game to 10 cities across the country enables tournament organiser England Rugby 2015 to showcase the Game to a large audience across the length and breadth of the country. The match schedule will see 25 matches played in dedicated Rugby venues, seven in multi-event stadia and 16 in football venues. This blend of stadia will provide a variety of Rugby World Cup match day experiences and more than two million opportunities for fans to engage with one of the world’s most recognisable major sports events.
The tournament will open at Twickenham Stadium on Friday, September 18, 2015, where England will face Oceania 1, confirmed at the close of the qualification process in 2014. In addition to a selection of pool matches, Twickenham Stadium will also host two quarter-finals, the semi-finals and the Final on October 31. Two quarter-finals will also be played in Cardiff at the Millennium Stadium and the Bronze Final will be hosted at the Olympic Stadium.
Confirmation of the match venues and match schedule follows approval from the Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) Board and an extensive and thorough evaluation process, undertaken by England Rugby 2015 in collaboration with tournament owners RWCL, Host Broadcaster ITV and commercial stakeholders.
The 13 match venues selected from the long list of 17 named in October 2012, plus Sandy Park added last month and the Manchester City Stadium which replaces Old Trafford, took into account geographical spread, sporting and facilities criteria, support from host cities, and capacity requirements to deliver the best possible platform for a fully engaging world-class tournament for fans and teams.
England Rugby 2015 also launched the vision for Rugby World Cup 2015 today outlining the tournament as a celebration of Rugby and its unique values, exciting and inspiring our nation and the world to play and support the Game.
England Rugby 2015 Chief Executive Debbie Jevans said: “The world can now start planning for Rugby World Cup 2015. Today, we’ve brought the tournament to life, announcing the match venues and the full match schedule. In less than two and a half years time, we will be welcoming the world to England and to a celebration of Rugby, played in a range of atmospheric stadiums right across the country.”
“Rugby has so much to offer – and over the next two and a half years, we will be working hard with RWCL to deliver a tournament which celebrates the unique values of Rugby and excites and inspires the nation and the world to play and support the Game. The countdown to 2015 begins in earnest today and we look forward to welcoming the world to England in 2015.”
“We are very grateful to all the cities and venues who have been part of the selection process for Rugby World Cup 2015. The support and interest shown by Coventry, Bristol, Derby, Southampton and Sunderland has been excellent and, whilst they have not been selected to host, we will continue to build upon the relationships forged throughout this process to ensure that these cities will still play a part in this truly nationwide tournament.”
RWCL Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “The delivery of the match schedule and match venues in collaboration with England Rugby 2015 is an important milestone for what promises to be a truly spectacular Rugby World Cup. Through this rigorous process we have been able to develop solid foundations for the best tournament experience for all participating teams, the host nation and the global Rugby community.”
“We have also worked hard with all stakeholders to deliver a match schedule that is fair and balanced for all teams and that will provide the stage for the world’s finest players from 20 nations to perform to the best of their ability during a six-week festival of world class Rugby.”
“Rugby World Cup 2015 is about opportunity. It is the promise of more than two million opportunities to engage with one of the world’s biggest major sports events. It is the opportunity to engage new fans the length and breadth of the country and to grow Rugby around the world in order that more men, women and children may experience the sport and its character-building values. It is set to be an exceptional event for the teams, the fans, the host nation, and the continued development of Rugby worldwide.”
Minister for Sport and Tourism Hugh Robertson said: “Rugby World Cup in 2015 is another great global sports event coming to the UK. It has the full backing of Government and will be fantastic for Rugby in this country, encouraging more people to get involved. There is also a great tourism opportunity to make the most of with matches being played across the country.”
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Canada qualifies for Rugby World Cup 2015

(IRB.COM) Sunday 25 August 2013

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Canada celebrate their qualification for Rugby World Cup 2015 - Photo: Caity McCulloch/Rugby Canada


Canada is the first direct qualifier for Rugby World Cup 2015 in England after defeating USA 13-11 at BMO Field in Toronto on Saturday.


The victory followed last weekend’s 27-9 win in Charleston to give the home side a 40-20 win on aggregate, booking a place in Pool D as Americas 1.


Canadian fans can now start looking ahead to Rugby’s showcase tournament and an event that is anticipated to attract more than 400,000 international visitors for a six-week celebration of Rugby and the host nation.


In Pool D at England 2015 Canada will face Ireland at the Millennium Stadium on September 19, Italy on September 26 at Elland Road in Leeds, France on October 1 at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes, before wrapping up pool play against the Europe 2 qualifier on October 6 at Leicester City Stadium.


Defeat does not spell the end of USA’s chances of making it to England 2015. A much improved performance will breed confidence as Mike Tolkin’s side progress to face Uruguay home and away for the right to claim the Americas 2 place.


With the Webb Ellis Cup in attendance, the USA Eagles came out of the blocks strongly chasing tries and had one attempt ruled out by the TMO before Taku Ngwenya's try gave the visitors a 5-0 lead midway through the half.


Canada hit back with a penalty and try from James Pritchard, but it was USA's Chris Wyles who had the last word of the half with a penalty to leave the teams locked at 8-8.


The second half was just as tight and it took a Jason Marshall try in the 60th minute to break the deadlock and give the home side the lead once more.


Wyles responded six minutes later with a penalty and had the chance to steal a first victory over Canada in seven matches in the last minute, but his penalty attempt drifted wide and the celebrations started for Canada.


Canada captain Aaron Carpenter said: “It is an amazing feeling to know that we will be there proudly representing Canada at Rugby World Cup.”


“It caps an incredible year with more Test matches and Pacific Nations Cup inclusion and I am sure it will boost Rugby interest here. I am really proud of the guys."


It was fitting that the North America Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) IRB Regional Association should deliver the first qualified team to England 2015.


The global process kicked off in the region last year with Mexico playing host to Jamaica. By its completion, some 3,000 players from 80 Unions across every continent will have participated in the 184 matches that comprise Rugby World Cup 2015 qualifying.


Rugby World Cup 2015 match schedule for Canada qualifier

Sat Sep 19 – Ireland v Canada – Millennium Stadium

Sat Sep 26 – Italy v Canada – Elland Road

Thu Oct 1 – France v Canada – Stadium MK

Tue Oct 6 – Canada v Europe 2 – Leicester City Stadium



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It's shameful that my home city (Bristol) can't even get its act together and finally get a proper stadium built, even when one of the largest events in the world could be coming to the city. Now it seems we've lost our chance to Exeter, & worse, Gloucester!!?? We can't seem to do anything here without screwing up :angry:

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Yup, now Fergie wants City to do a half-cock doing up of Ashton Gate. Better than now, but still a bit embarrassing for the largest city in SW England, especially as we have an enormous chunk of land next to Temple Meads station crying out for something to be put on it.

And before you say it...no, we still haven't got any sign of an arena. Nothing at all. :angry::angry:

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Rugby World Cup ball design revealed

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The International Rugby Board has unveiled the design of the 2015 Rugby World Cup ball.

Produced by long-term partner Gilbert Rugby, the ball has been designed with "performance and players in mind" and special emphasis has been given to ensuring that contrasting colours appear on the ends of the ball "to enhance visibility for passing". It is also claimed that bold colours along the seams provide kickers with strong visual references resulting in a "unique and special ball with strong visual impact".

The design also features the official tournament social media hashtag #RWC2015, highlighting the growing importance of social media for event owners and associated brands. Replicas of the ball will be available to purchase from September 23 with attention now turning to the technical development of the official match ball.

Rugby World Cup Limited Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: "I have no doubt that this ball will become a sought-after and iconic feature of a tournament that is on track to mark another successful and memorable chapter in the remarkable Rugby World Cup story, bringing together people the length and breadth of England and around the world for a festival that will showcase Rugby and the nation to record audiences.

http://www.espnscrum.com/blogs/rugby/story/196655.html

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Im guessing the intersecting lines and current England 2015 wordmark are the official ones of the tournament going forward?

Must say it's a wee bit disappointing compared to the NZ2011 Mangopare hammerhead shark design look they used.

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Im guessing the intersecting lines and current England 2015 wordmark are the official ones of the tournament going forward?

Must say it's a wee bit disappointing compared to the NZ2011 Mangopare hammerhead shark design look they used.

Love to see what Japan's will look like.

Mind you tonight I think they'll be hoping for something bigger.

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  • 2 weeks later...

PM marks two years until RWC2015

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Today marks just two years to go until Rugby World Cup 2015 kicks off in England.

To mark this milestone, the UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, and New Zealand Prime Minister, John Key, today exchanged Rugby balls during a bilateral meeting between the two leaders at 10 Downing Street.

Mr Key presented the Prime Minister with a rugby ball signed by the New Zealand team that won Rugby World Cup 2011 on home soil. Mr Cameron returned the gesture with a specially designed Gilbert two years to go Rugby World Cup 2015 match ball.

This presentation informally marks the transfer from one Rugby World Cup host to the next and is an example of the many shared activities which bind UK and NZ so closely. The formal cup handover will take place later this year.

Rugby World Cup is the third largest sporting event in the world and England looks forward to welcoming New Zealanders and fans from all around the world to this spectacular six-week festival of Rugby and England between September 18 and October 31, 2015.

Tournament organisers England Rugby 2015 and tournament owners Rugby World Cup Limited are on track to deliver a rugby celebration that the whole country can be proud of and part of, which inspires the nation and the world to play and support the Game. The Rugby Football Union has in place a comprehensive legacy plan to grow the Game in England.

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid=2068808.html#pm+marks+years+until+rwc2015

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ER 2015 on track with two years to go

.Organising Committee now 50 staff as planning moves towards delivery in 2014
.Strong support from cities and venues following vision, venues and match schedule announcement this year
.Kick-off times and ticketing details to be announced with IRB by the end of this year
.Volunteering programme to open in 2014 with 75 per cent recruitment from existing rugby volunteer network
.International and domestic Webb Ellis Cup tours to launch in 2014 and 2015
.Strong stakeholder relationships in place between ER 2015, RWCL, IRB and RFU

With two years to go until the start of Rugby World Cup 2015, Tournament Organisers England Rugby 2015 Limited and Tournament Owners Rugby World Cup Limited are on track to deliver the game’s showpiece event.

ER 2015 Chief Executive Debbie Jevans today outlined the progress made to date and the exciting 24 months that lie ahead before Rugby World Cup begins in September 2015. With the Organising Committee now 50 strong, increasing to 70 staff by the end of the year, the key priorities including building the team, selecting the match venues, finalising the schedule, setting the tournament vision and developing the detailed delivery plans and timelines have all been completed.

With the foundations now in place, and a strong response and show of support from the cities and venues who will deliver the third largest global sporting event, England Rugby 2015 will complete a busy 12 months with confirmation of kick-off times and the ticketing strategy and pricing before the end of the year.

The tournament volunteer programme will be launched in early 2014. 6,000 volunteers will be required for RWC 2015 and in line with the tournament vision, England Rugby 2015 will recruit 75 per cent of volunteers from the existing rugby club volunteer network, rewarding and recognising those who help to deliver the game week in week out in their local communities. Eager to also see new people accessing the sport, a further 25 per cent of volunteers will be recruited from outside the game.

With over 80 bids received from more than 30 English counties and Wales to become RWC 2015 team bases, the search for the best possible facilities to host the world’s best teams continues. Team bases, which consist of indoor and outdoor training facilities, hotel, gym and pool, will be selected and announced by the middle of next year, providing England Rugby 2015 with further opportunity to take the tournament to communities all around the country.

Next year England Rugby 2015 will also announce details of two Webb Ellis Cup tours; international and domestic, taking the Cup to most qualifying nations and then all around the UK and Ireland.

On the two years to go milestone, Jevans, said: “In the last 12 months we have achieved a great deal and laid the foundations – two years out we are on track and in good shape.

“We are now focused on finalising the kick-off times and the ticketing strategy by the end of the year. We continue to work with the IRB and all our key stakeholders and our aim is for tickets to be as affordable and accessible as possible.

“As we move into 2014 we begin to fully engage and mobilise our plans with the launch of the volunteer programme, international Webb Ellis Cup tour and tickets going on sale.”

On the RFU’s ‘Posts in the Park’ legacy programme, launched with two years to go until RWC 2015, Jevans added: “Our role as the Organising Committee is to host and stage a tournament that not only delivers the best possible experience for the spectators and the players but also helps grow the game so we are delighted to support the RFU’s Posts in the Park programme. The tournament provides a unique opportunity for rugby in this country.”

Recognising the two years to go milestone, IRB Chief Executive and RWCL Managing Director Brett Gosper added: ”In exactly two years, England will host one of the biggest sporting and cultural festivals the country has ever seen. For 44 days, the world’s top 700 players representing 20 nations will be performing to a global audience of four billion across 13 venues the length and breadth of the country, showcasing Rugby and the host nation.”

“As we reach this landmark, I am confident that preparations are on track to ensure that Rugby World Cup 2015 will be remembered as the best ever event from a sporting experience and impact perspective that will deliver unprecedented benefits to the host nation and to the profile and development of our sport and its character-building values worldwide.”

Looking ahead to the tournament, Minister for Sport and Tourism, Hugh Robertson, said: “Rugby World Cup 2015 will be a fantastic tournament, bringing new fans and players to the game both domestically and internationally. With two years to go until it kicks off strong plans are in place to ensure both the players and spectators are well looked after and a legacy for the sport is delivered.”

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/media/news/newsid=2068805.html#er+2015+track+with+years

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