Following a detailed review of the goals enshrined within the recently updated IRB Strategic Plan, the IRB is working with the host countries for RWC 2015 and RWC 2019, England and Japan, to develop tournament-specific strategic plans. This will globally optimise the benefits of hosting one of the world’s largest sporting events by integrating the IRB strategic plan with those of other key tournament stakeholders.

The plans will be developed using workshops to explore how the tournaments can be used to deliver a range of benefits to a wide range of stakeholders. Such benefits include increased economic impact through business generation, investment and tourism; increased levels of participation and performance in Rugby; enhanced commercial opportunities and global promotion of Rugby.

pmplegacy’s Director of Consulting, Cathy Livock, reported, “We are very pleased to be working in partnership with the IRB on this important strategic planning project. The Rugby World Cup is widely acknowledged as one of the world’s premier sporting events and is hugely attractive for potential hosts. By developing a framework to work in close collaboration with host countries to maximise the long term benefits of hosting events, the IRB is leading the way in the international events arena and presenting an example for many other International Federations to follow.”

Head of Rugby World Cup Kit McConnell said:”As one of the world’s largest sports events there is a need to continue to build on the IRB Strategic Plan to integrate all RWC stakeholder goals to maximise the benefits for all parties “.