Loughborough University has today been officially named on the approved list of prospective Team Bases for Rugby World Cup 2015.

England 2015 has announced that 65 Team Bases are named on the approved list, and meet the criteria to host the 20 teams that will compete in the six week tournament.

Bases on the approved list are not guaranteed to host teams. However they will be used to provide the competing nations with their Team Base options, many of which are currently undertaking visits of prospective bases.

A Team Base must include an indoor and outdoor training facility, a gym, an indoor swimming pool and a hotel.  These facilities must meet international team training standards and be located in close proximity of one another. Match Venue location has also been taken into account.

The University secured their place on the approved list following a visit by representatives from England 2015 last autumn, which confirmed the facilities on campus met the required criteria.

The visit included a tour of the pitches at the Holywell Sports Complex and indoor training facilities including the Sir David Wallace Sports Hall, the 50 metre swimming pool and the Powerbase gym.

The delegation also visited Burleigh Court, our four star hotel situated on campus and a key component in the University’s offer in hosting preparation camps for sport.

Ben Aherne, Business Development Manager for Sport at Loughborough University, said:

“I am naturally delighted that Loughborough University has been named on the approved list of prospective Team Bases for Rugby World Cup 2015. We very much look forward to being involved in the next stage of the process, and will continue to work closely with England 2015.

“I hope that our impressive facilities and experience of hosting international squads will attract one of the participating teams to our campus, which would be tremendous for Loughborough.”

England 2015 requires up to 50 bases for use during the tournament. These will be confirmed mid-2014 following completion of team visits and selection.

England 2015 CEO, Debbie Jevans, said:

"Since launching the Team Base selection process there has been strong support for the tournament right across England and Wales with over 80 applications made to host teams in 2015.

“I would like to thank all those who applied and who have met with us in recent months; these visits have been integral to the process and have shown the great enthusiasm for Rugby World Cup 2015.

“We are fortunate to have such a great number of excellent facilities available to host the teams in 2015 and we are pleased to have a good range including rugby clubs, colleges, universities, schools and training centres on the approved list.

“Rugby is at the heart of all our planning and it is vital that, in our role as the Organising Committee, we do all we ensure that we get the conditions absolutely right for the players to prepare for the game’s premier event. We will continue to work with the team mangers and look forward to confirming the final list of Team Bases by the middle of this year.”