Brown backs England World Cup bid
By politics.co.uk staff
Gordon Brown has backed England’s bid to host the 2015 rugby World Cup at an event in Downing Street.
Speaking at the launch of the Rugby Football Union’s (RFU) Injured Players Foundation, attended by a number of England players, the prime minister said: “I believe that rugby is one of the great sports and I also believe we can win the World Cup this country in 2015.
“I hope that you, the RFU, will be able to persuade other countries that the World Cup should come here. I am here to support people who were part of the 2007 World Cup team when you played South Africa [in the final], having already beaten France and Australia.
“I was very proud to be in Paris that day when you took on the South Africans and performed so well.”
RFU chairman Martyn Thomas said the plans also had the support of sports secretary Andy Burnham.
The other home nations are also interested in hosting the tournament but do not have the necessary facilities.
However, Mr Thomas said the RFU would consider staging some World Cup games at the Millennium Stadium in Wales, Croke Park in Dublin and Scotland’s Murrayfield base in Edinburgh.
“England will bid for the World Cup,” Mr Thomas announced. “We have certainly had very good discussions with the Welsh in terms of using the facilities they have, particularly the Millennium Stadium but also the Ospreys and maybe the new Cardiff stadium.
“I am sure if we go ahead with the bid we will certainly involve games in Wales. We haven’t totally ruled out games further north.
“We want to make sure there are games in the north of England and that it reaches out to as many people as possible.”
England’s World Cup bid comes after Mr Burnham confirmed the government will provide financial support for the proposals.
Potential rivals to host the tournament include Italy, South Africa and Japan and all are likely to have strong financial clout.
“I have had a very positive meeting with Andy Burnham, who is the boss, and with Gordon Brown – who is the ultimate boss,” Mr Thomas added.
“Certainly Andy is very supportive in helping us win the rugby World Cup.”
