In a presentation to the International Rugby Board Council, England’s bid team outlined its proposals - listing Coventry’s 32,000-seat capacity Ricoh Arena as one of the venues for the 48-match programme.

The announcement has delighted bosses at the arena - where the highest sporting attendance so far has been Coventry City’s FA Cup quarter-final tie against Chelsea in March this year, when 31,407 people attended.

The stadium has previously hosted rugby games, where the highest rugby union crowd was set in April 2008 for the Heineken Cup.

Daniel Gidney, chief executive of the Ricoh Arena, said: “We are delighted to be a part of RFU’s bid for the 2015 tournament and it would be great for the domestic game if it were successful.

“The Ricoh Arena has proved on several occasions that it is an outstanding venue for top class international Rugby Union and we believe we would be a fitting home for such a high-profile competition.

“We have had nothing but good feedback from tournament organisers, clubs and supporters after the games we have held here and we would love to play host to pool matches in 2015.

“Yet again this is a signal that we are a venue of international standing be it for sport, entertainment, business or leisure.”

According to the proposals, pool stages would be held in nine cities in England - including Coventry - with the latter stages scheduled to take place at stadiums including Wembley, Old Trafford, Anfield and the final at Twickenham Stadium.

Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said the Rugby World Cup coming to Coventry could have a massive knock-on effect for the local economy.

She said: “When the Ricoh hosted a Heineken Cup match last year, it was estimated that it had ploughed £6 million into the local economy.

“By bringing a World Cup game here, the effect could be even greater. Such an event will benefit businesses of all sizes and disciplines – from a local taxi driver to major hotel chains.

“Also, the long-term positive effect of the profile it brings to the city will be of a major benefit although that will be harder to quantify.

“There could also be a boost to tourism in Rugby during the World Cup should England’s bid be a success.

“The fact that the game was invented in the town should draw fans from all over the world to Rugby and that is something the town would need to be geared up for.

“So it should not just be Coventry and the Ricoh Arena that is excited by this news, the whole region could benefit.

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