Mallett beats Italy's drum

June 25 2009

Nick Mallett believes the growth of rugby union in Italy would only be enhanced by the country hosting a World Cup.

The Italians, along with South Africa and Japan, are bidding for the rights to host the tournament in 2015 or 2019, while England have opted to concentrate their efforts on the 2015 World Cup only.

On Friday, an Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) delegation will present their bid to the New Zealand Rugby Union as the race hots up for the rights to the two events, following the 2011 tournament which will be staged in New Zealand.

"There is no doubt that the potential for growing rugby in Italy is absolutely massive," said Mallett, the Italian national team's head coach.

"When you consider countries with far smaller populations have 10 times as many rugby players it is obviously a country that has a massive opportunity to grow the game.

"Rugby being such a global game, getting the World Cup to Italy would really focus the attention of Italians on the sport."

That will also be the message pushed by FIR board member Andrea Rinaldo when he meets his New Zealand counterparts in Christchurch.

But aside from the obvious potential for growth, Rinaldo has also been keen to talk up his country's success at hosting major sporting events such as summer and winter Olympic Games, Champions League finals, and the football World Cup.

Some of Italy's most iconic football stadiums would be used including Rome's Stadio Olimpico for the final, which can seat 83,000 people.

The tournament would be held from early September to late October, like the 2007 event in neighbouring France.

"We're serious, we know how to handle major sporting events and we would love to have rugby growing in the country as a whole," Rinaldo said.

"Awarding it to Italy would send a clear and positive message about the globalisation of rugby."

Full government support - not always easy to obtain - would ensure that all financial commitments would be met, Rinaldo added.

The International Rugby Board is demanding guaranteed fees of £80m ($130m) for the 2015 tournament and £96m ($160m) for the one four years later.

The IRB is expected to announce the hosts for both tournaments on July 28.