The International Rugby Board has confirmed England will host the 2015 Rugby World Cup, and Japan will stage the event in Asia for the first time four years after.

Japan, who lost out to New Zealand in the bidding for the 2011 edition, and England, hosts of the 1991 tournament, were awarded the rights ahead of bids from South Africa and Italy.

The Rugby World Cup Board argued last month that England would maximise the event's commercial possibilities while a first World Cup in Asia, would be a huge boost for the development of the game in that region.

England failed in its bid for the 2007 tournament when France won votes from the Home Unions after promising matches to Wales, Scotland and Ireland.