Scotland have withdrawn from the running to co-host the 2015 Rugby World Cup after failing to reach an agreement with the other home unions. The Scottish Rugby Union had expressed an interest in staging part of the tournament on the grounds that "a four home unions bid would be an exciting prospect for world rugby".

The Scottish government had confirmed its willingness to underwrite an equitable proportion of the £80m tournament fee in return for Scotland hosting a pool and at least one quarter-final, but Scotland failed to reach an agreement with the other home unions and they have now withdrawn from the International Rugby Board's tender process for both the 2015 and 2019 tournaments.

The Rugby Football Union is considering submitting its own bid for England to stage the 2015 World Cup and they are not prepared to enter into any formal co-hosting arrangement. The IRB will confirm on 8 May which unions have bid to host the 2015 and 2019 World Cups.

The venues for both tournaments will be selected by the IRB council on 28 July. If England decide to press ahead for 2015 they are likely to be up against South Africa, Italy and Japan, whose bids all have full government backing.