Will Greenwood, a member of England’s Rugby World Cup 2003 winning team, said:

“I was lucky enough to watch a lot of the 2012 Games in the Olympic Stadium. I saw Usain Bolt win the 100m and Mo Farah win the 5000m and the atmosphere was incredible. So to have 54,000 people watching the likes of South Africa and New Zealand and the bronze play-off will be truly special and I hope will grab the attention of West Ham United fans who potentially might consider becoming Saracens or Harlequins fans.”

“Newham residents should really get behind Rugby World Cup 2015. It’s coming to town and I hope to see people there.”

Dennis Hone, Chief Executive of the London Legacy Development Corporation, the organisation responsible for the long-term planning and management of the Park and its facilities, said:

“It is exciting that in just two years time the rugby world champions will be crowned. We are proud that Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park will play host to some of the best teams in the world as part of an amazing festival of rugby. We are on track to prepare the Stadium for the tournament and its long term tenants West Ham United and UK Athletics. It will be a fantastic venue where rugby fans from home and abroad will enjoy some great matches in the iconic Stadium that hosted the London 2012 Games.”

Sir Robin Wales, Mayor of Newham, said:

“We are looking forward to hosting matches at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford. It represents another marvellous community benefit from our part ownership of the Stadium. We also intend to use it to introduce our young people to a sport that traditionally has not been played here much, outside of places like East London Rugby Club in West Ham and some schools.

You can join the journey to RWC 2015 by signing up to The Front Row website for all the latest tournament news, including updates on tickets and volunteering. Go to http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/signup/index.htm