Dr Syd Millar, chairman of the IRB, said: “Japan, New Zealand and South Africa represent three of our five Rugby World Cup qualifying regions, Africa, Oceania and Asia. The growing development and popularity of rugby is highlighted in Japan being the first Asian country to tender for the tournament.”
“The IRB Council will ratify and announce the RWC 2011 host union in November, six years prior to the tournament. This timetable reflects the scale and nature of the preparatory work in delivering this world class tournament,” added Dr Millar.
The next important date is May 13 this year when the three unions will have to submit their tournament tenders to Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL).
In June/July a team of representatives from RWCL will visit each of the unions to review the respective tenders and proposed venues and facilities. RWCL will then forward a recommendation to the IRB Council for the host union.
