September 8 - John Steele revealed today that he hopes to use the experience he gained preparing for the Olympics and Paralympics as chief executive at UK Sport to help England win the Rugby World Cup when it is staged in this country in 2015.


Steele, a former player and coach of Northampton Saints, officially took over this week as the new chief executive of the Rugby Football Union having resigned in June UK Sport, the biggest distributor of National Lottery funding to Britain's elite sportsmen and women.

"For me a home World Cup in a sport I am passionate about trumps the London Olympics," said Steele after his first day at Twickenham.

"I am not talking down the Olympics at all, what a fantastic opportunity for the nation, but a home Rugby World Cup is something very, very special.

"We can use 2015 to drive all sorts of things that will give us an immediate benefit.

"It is about pinning something on a really big milestone for rugby in five years time."

England have won the World Cup only once - in Australia in 2003 under Sir Clive Woodward, now the Director of Performance at the British Olympic Association - but reached the final in France in 2007 where they were beaten by South Africa.

The next tournament is due to take place in New Zealand in 2011 where England will be coached by Martin Johnson, the captain when they lifted the trophy.

"I think there is going to be a very positive five years leading into 2015," said Steele.

"The condition of the game is such that there is a real opportunity here.

"There has been a lot of talk about legacy with the Olympics.

"It is talked about so much because people are concerned about what will be there after the investment has been made.

"What people talk about less is the build-up to the Games and the benefits from that. It is enormous.

"It started making a difference to the Olympic and Paralympic environment immediately after we won the bid. It was a huge catalyst for change, growth of sports and change of sports."

Nearly 50 people applied to replace Steele but the successful applicant still has to be announced.


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