of rugby fever . . . and we believe that dispersing rugby fever in the biggest continent on the planet will help the IRB in their mission of globalizing the game we all love." The IRB defended its decision to award the 2011 World Cup to New Zealand instead of Japan, stating: "New Zealand can guarantee packed stadiums and that can't be guaranteed in Japan." 2015: England The host for the 2015 tournament was England, who won their bid on 28 July 2009. A record ten unions indicated formal interest in hosting the 2015 and/or the 2019 events: Australia, England, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Russia, Scotland, South Africa and Wales. Argentina had been reported in early 2008 as having given preliminary consideration to bidding, but did not ultimately formally indicate an interest in bidding. 2019: Japan The host for the 2019 tournament was Japan, who won the right to host the tournament on 28 July 2009. 2023: France Several countries declared their interest in hosting the 2023 Rugby World Cup, including ones that have already hosted RWC matches and countries looking to host a tournament for the first time. South Africa was considered one of the front runners to host the 2023 competition, having bid unsuccessfully for the right to host the 2011, 2015 and 2019 tournaments. Ireland submitted a formal bid, following the January 2014 establishment of a government taskforce to assess a bid to host the Rugby World Cup. Previous host nation France also submitted a bid to host again in 2023. The United States, Argentina, and Italy had also expressed interest in hosting, but none of the three counties submitted a formal bid. On 15 November 2017, it was announced that France had beaten rivals Ireland and South Africa, in its successful bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup. 2027: Australia The host for the 2027 tournament will be Australia, confirmed on the 12th May, 2022. 2031: United States The host for the 2031 tournament will be the United States, confirmed on the 12th May, 2022. Notes References External links New Zealand to host RWC 2011 Joint Rugby World Cup bid office set up NZ Wins Bid To Host 2011 Rugby World Cup Japan Rugby news on bid Rugby World Cup