The rights-holder of the Rugby World Cup has recommended England be host in 2015 and Japan in 2019.

Rugby World Cup Limited, which owns all rights associated with the tournament and is under the control of the IRB, described its two choices on Tuesday as achieving a balance between making money and then developing new rugby markets.

Italy and South Africa had also issued tenders for the world's third-largest sporting event.

The IRB said in a statement: "A tournament in England would allow the IRB to maximise funding available for investment in the game" while a "World Cup in Japan would provide a gateway to the further development and expansion of the game in Asia."

The IRB will select the hosts on July 28 in Dublin.

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