England consider pulling 2015 bid

October 31 2008

The Rugby Football Union's chief executive, Francis Baron, has revealed that England may retract their 2015 Rugby World Cup bid due to "massive financial risks".

The International Rugby Board are now demanding a guaranteed percentage of the profits, which has changed the entire bid process.

So much so that the RFU are now considering taking their bid off the table.

"It puts an absolutely massive financial risk on the bidding union," Baron explained to BBC Sport.

"Our predictions make it unlikely England could actually make a profit out of hosting a World Cup in 2015."

At present their are eight countries interested in hosting the tournament, including the other three home nations - Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

Wales and Scotland are keen on a joint home nations bid, while England are considering whether to pursue a solo bid if it is financially viable.

Australian rugby chief John O'Neill has already criticised the cost of hosting the tournament, believed to be £100m and £120m respectively for the 2015 and 2019 events.

"The RFU board would have to consider very carefully whether or not it would be prudent to risk the game's money in bidding in the knowledge that almost certainly we would make a substantial loss," Baron added.

"I have explained to the IRB that England is the largest rugby-playing country with access to some of the biggest stadia in the world like Twickenham and Wembley.

"But at the moment we just can't make the numbers work because of the scale of the financial guarantee that is required."