"We have made a commitment to the IRB Council to host the most successful tournament ever, building on the outstanding success of France 2007 and what we are sure will be a great tournament in New Zealand in 2011. We will not disappoint them. We will host a festival of rugby that will fill our iconic stadia with excited fans and deliver a global platform for the game. We can't wait to get going and would like to thank the IRB Council for giving us this honour."
The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, the Rt Hon Ben Bradshaw MP, said: "Winning the right to host the Rugby World Cup in 2015 is a fantastic achievement and I congratulate the RFU on putting together such an outstanding bid. This is a great addition to what we hope will be the most celebrated decade in our sporting history. I am in no doubt that we will hold a first-class tournament, enthralling fans from across the globe and inspiring a new generation to take up rugby."
Will Greenwood, a Rugby World Cup winner in 2003, added: "What excites me about a tournament in England is the opportunity to use rugby as a force for good in the world and the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy. I have seen at first hand how rugby can change lives on an individual basis - now we have a chance to change many lives in England and around the world. It is a huge opportunity and a wonderful challenge."
Lawrence Dallaglio, a Rugby World Cup winner in 2003, added further: "The world's best players will now have a chance to play in some of the world's best stadia and supporters can look forward to a feast of rugby. It's almost enough to bring me out of retirement!"
