Member Article

Leeds short-listed to hold Rugby Union World Cup 2015

Leeds has been shortlisted as one of the cities bidding to host the 20 teams coming to Rugby World Cup 2015.

Winning the tender would have a huge economic impact on the city, with the increase in travel and tourism. A report due out later this week will discuss the local impact the event would have on the region.

England Rugby 2015 have estimated that the tournament will have a global television reach of 3.2 billion, with matches across England and Wales being attended by 2.9 million spectators, with approximately 400,000 international spectators visiting England during the tournament.

Following the strong response to the Rugby World Cup 2015 Team Base tender process, with over 80 applications received from over 30 English counties and within Wales, England Rugby 2015 has moved into the next phase of the Team Base selection programme by confirming an ‘approved list’ of bases.

Leeds has been included on the shortlist with partners from across the city, including Leeds City Council, the city’s three universities, West Park Leeds RUFC and a number of hotels pulling together to submit four bids.

Each of the four bids offers indoor and outdoor training facilities at one or more of the sites and access to a gym and pool along with the offer of a hotel, providing various options for top class training facilities in various parts of the city.

England Rugby 2015 requires up to 50 bases for use during the tournament. These will be confirmed mid-2014 following completion of team visits which are now underway, providing them with the chance to get to know the facilities and the city before they make their final decision.

The dates and teams playing at Elland Road have already been announced, with Italy playing against Canada on Saturday 26 September at 2:30pm and Scotland playing the Americas 2 (Uruguay are to play the USA in March 2014 to decide who qualifies) on Sunday 27 September at 2:30pm.

Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, Leeds City Council executive board member with responsibility for leisure and skills said: “Having already secured our role as a host city for Rugby World Cup 2015, it is great to see facilities in Leeds selected as a potential training sites for the teams in this prestigious tournament.

“Leeds has a lot to offer, and we have great transport links allowing any potential team the opportunity to reach their games easily alongside some quality first class training facilities.

“We have already had a number of international teams staying in the city over the past few years such as the Chinese Olympic team in 2012 and the New Zealand Rugby league squad in the last few months, and will be welcoming the world of cycling to the city later this year.”

All fans wanting to keep up to date with the latest information around the tournament should sign up to The Front Row, the Rugby World Cup 2015 newsletter, at www.rugbyworldcup.com/frontrow

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .