The IRB have allowed bidding unions to present more than one proposal to them for consideration.
The RFU has presented three alternative proposals to the IRB in its official tender response. They are:
* The 'preferred option': A 16-team Rugby World Cup (RWC) and a 32-team Rugby World Nations Cup (RWNC) running in parallel.
* The 'traditional option': the 20-team format used in previous Rugby World Cups.
* The 'hybrid option': a mixture of the preferred option and the traditional option.
Said Francis Baron (pictured), chief executive of the RFU: "Our aim is to be sole hosts of the event. A solus approach clarifies responsibility, accountability and ensures smoother management and logistics as South Africa proved so effectively in 1995. We will also ask Scotland, Ireland and Wales to nominate a representative on the board of the RFU Tournament operating company 'England 2007 Ltd.' In return a financial participation package will be discussed with them to assist in the development of the game in Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
"Ultimately however, the success of the event is about income generation for the developing world of rugby. We aim to deliver revenues far in excess of any previous RWC tournament. We will do this by generating more revenue from the revised format in a commercially attractive market and by prudent financial management. This enhanced level of income will help to fund the IRB's global development programme that sustains and nourishes the growth of our game.
"By playing games at 16 top flight stadiums around the country we are able to give people in England the best possible chance of seeing world class rugby in superb facilities, all of which underline the excellent infrastructure we have at our disposal."
Added former Octagon executive, Paul Vaughan the RFU's commercial director: "Marketing will be integral to our ticketing structure and we are providing, in our bid the detail, which will avoid ticketing problems. The event will be broadcast through ITV in the UK and they have proved to be an effective and innovative broadcaster since they first won the rights to the tournament in 1991."
For a full insight into the RFU's World Cup bid, see today's features section of sportbusiness.com
The England Rugby Football Union (RFU) has publicly launched its official sole bid to host the Rugby World Cup 2007.
