England submit robust Cup bid

ENGLAND RFU chief executive Francis Baron flexed Twickenham’s financial muscles yesterday as he submitted England’s bid to host the 2015 World Cup.

Baron declared none of England’s rivals for the tournament – South Africa, Japan or Italy – could offer the same recession-busting, “low risk, high return” model.

The IRB are looking to maximise income from the 2015 World Cup because New Zealand 2011 is unlikely to generate the same revenue levels as previous tournaments.