Russia president Vladimir Putin has thrown his support behind the country’s surprise bid to host the 2027 World Cup.

The Russian Rugby Federation confirmed the country will bid to host the global tournament in 2027, despite Australia being the current favourites to earn hosting status.

World Rugby’s official bidding process for the 2027 tournament will open in February 2021, with a final decision to be made in May 2022.

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France will host the next World Cup in 2023 after beating both South Africa and Ireland in the final round of the bidding process.

Russia previously hosted the 2013 Sevens World Cup after Brazil and Germany pulled out of the bidding process. However attendances at Moscow’s 79,000-capacity Luzhniki Stadium were largely poor, with most of the rugby being played in a ghostly atmosphere.

‘On July 24, the supreme council of the Russian Rugby Federation established a committee to prepare an application to host the Rugby World Cup in Russia in 2027,’ a statement read.

‘Anticipating the creation of the committee, chairman of the supreme council of the Russian Rugby Federation Igor Artemyev recalled that the initiative to prepare an application to host the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Russia was supported by the president of Russia at the council for the development of physical culture and sports.

‘The necessary consultations were held with the participation of the ministry of sports. By the end of this year detailed information and criteria for the application are expected.’

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