Bristol’s hopes of hosting a national team during the 2015 Rugby World Cup have moved a step closer. More than 80 applications were received by the World Cup organisers from towns and cities across the country for up to 50 team bases. Bristol has made it onto the approved list and will go forward to the next phase of selection. 
While those on the approved list are not guaranteed to host a team, it provides the competing nations with options for the location of their base camp and some are already visiting prospective bases. A final decision is expected to be made by the middle of this year.
A team base must include an indoor and outdoor training facility, a gym, an indoor swimming pool and a hotel. These facilities must meet international team training standards and be close to each other. Match locations have also been taken into account.
Destination Bristol chief executive John Hirst, who represents the Bristol Consortium, said: “We are delighted to have moved to the next phase of the selection process. If Bristol is successful we will have a real involvement in Rugby World Cup 2015. There will be a focus on Bristol as a significant part of the event, which is vital for a city that has such a strong rugby tradition and ambitions for the future development of Rugby Union.”
