The Federazione Italiana Rugby (FIR) are interested in hosting the tournament, now considered the third biggest sporting event in the world, in either 2015 or 2019.

 

A delegation from the FIR and the International Rugby Board this week spent two days meeting with the Italian Sports Minister Rocco Crimi.

 

FIR president Giancarlo Dondi said: "We held very positive meetings with the IRB and the Italian Government.

 

"Those discussions confirmed that we are on track with our bid to host either Rugby World Cup 2015 or 2019."

 

Italy's bid already has the support of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI).

 

Crimi was impressed by their plans and promised the Government would do all it could to help.

 

He said: "The Rugby World Cup is the third largest sporting event in the world.

 

"I am satisfied with the outcome of the very positive meetings and impressed by the work of the bid team."

 

Rugby is a major growth sport in Italy, with international and club fixtures now attracting record crowds.

 

The FIR believes hosting the World Cup would accelerate the sport's development.

 

Bernard Lapasset, the chairman of the International Rugby Board (IRB), said: "We were delighted with the very positive nature of the meetings with the Italian Federation and the very impressive quality of the work demonstrated by the bid team, which underlines the continued growth and strength of rugby in Italy.

 

"Rugby World Cup is the world's third largest sports event and a tournament of this scale is not possible without a close co-operation between the rugby union and the Government, and we were highly encouraged by the level of support pledged by the Italian government."

 

The IRB require a minimum financial guarantee of £80 million from those countries bidding to host the 2015 World Cup and £96 million for the 2019 tournament.

 

South Africa and England have also received assurances of support from their respective Governments, which the IRB see as an encouraging sign given the global economic downturn.

 

A recent independent report by Deloitte on the economic benefits of hosting a Rugby World Cup estimated it has the potential to generate up to £2.1 billion in economic benefits.

 

The IRB are meeting all the unions who have expressed an interest in hosting the World Cup before the final tender presentations are made on May 13.

 

The IRB will announce the two successful candidates on July 28.