The International Rugby Board, owner of Rugby World Cup, has confirmed that a record number of Unions have confirmed their intention to tender for the right to host either Rugby World Cup 2015 or 2019.
Japan has formally applied to be the host of the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cups, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday.
New Zealand coach Graham Henry has insisted that star forward Richie McCaw will not be rested for the forthcoming November tour of Britain and Ireland.
Munster's former All Black wing Doug Howlett has revealed that he hasn't ruled out the possibility of a return to the All Blacks before the 2011 World Cup.
Christchurch and Wellington were confirmed as the two cities to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals, ensuring the plan to envelop the country with the tournament would be achieved for the business-end of the event.
The South African Rugby Union's President's Council on Friday confirmed the Union's interest in bidding to host either the 2015 or 2019 Rugby World Cup.
The organisers of the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand will announce next week which venues have secured the quarter-finals and third place play-off matches.
A record ten nations have registered interest in hosting either the 2015 or 2019 Rugby World Cup, including a slightly outlandish bid from Jamaica.
The site of New Zealand's most famous rugby memory is set to become history as preparations continue for the 2011 World Cup.
The International Rugby Board must award the 2015 World Cup to a developing nation if they are serious about breaking out of an English "ghetto" and establishing the sport as a truly global game.
The dates of the CONSUR B/NAWIRA play-off matches between Brazil and Trinidad & Tobago have been announced as the Rugby World Cup 2011 qualifying competition gathers pace.
Italy have confirmed that they are going to bid either for the 2015 or 2019 Rugby World Cup on Sunday, in a move which Italian Federation President Giancarlo Dondi called a 'cornerstone in the development of Italian rugby'.
As if the final and semi-finals weren't enough, Auckland has also joined the 2011 Rugby World Cup race to hold a quarter-final and the third place play-off match at Eden Park in New Zealand.
The reaction to the recent announcement from the IRB that tendering for hosting rights to both the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cups has been met with a mixture of confidence and scepticism in Japan.
ARU boss John O'Neill says the union will decide by August 15 whether or not to bid for the 2019 Rugby World Cup hosting rights.