Joint RWC bid pondered

England and Wales are pondering a joint bid for the right to host the Rugby World Cup in 2015.

Rugby Football Union chief executive Francis Baron and his Welsh counterpart David Pickering (WRU chairman) have already held informal discussions about the possibility of tendering a bid.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) is set to invite 'expressions of interest' for hosting the tournaments in both 2015 and 2019 later this month with the process set to reach a conclusion and an announcement in 12 months time.

Should England and Wales opt to make a move, they will certainly face competition from Japan, who controversially missed out to New Zealand on the chance to host the 2011 showpiece.

South Africa, who also missed out on staging the 2011 edition, also look set to bid again.

Baron and Pickering reportedly held 'positive' talks on a joint bid at the IRB's summit meeting in Hong Kong last week.

If both parties remain keen, the next step would be for the plans to be put to the respective boards for approval, before a formal application is lodged with the IRB.

An RFU spokesman said: "No decisions have been taken or will be taken until we receive the tender documents from the IRB."