Next year's rugby World Cup in England will boost the U.K.
economy by nearly £1B ($1.56B), an economic impact study
revealed on Tuesday, according to Michael Hann of REUTERS. The study, "undertaken on behalf of the Organising
Committee for Rugby World Cup 2015, examined the different ways the
tournament will benefit the host nation." The report indicated the tournament will "generate a
total output" of about £2.2B ($3.4B), which is "in line with a
previous economic study" undertaken by Deloitte in '08. It predicts that "this will result in a contribution" of £982M ($1.54B) to the national GDP, "while any economic benefit will be shared around the 11 host cities." England is "also expected to welcome more foreign visitors
than for any other World Cup and 41,000 jobs will be supported around
the country." England Rugby 2015 CEO Debbie Jevans said in a statement, "With Rugby World Cup 2015 expected to attract more visitors than any
previous Rugby World Cup, the tournament is on track to deliver a strong
economic legacy" (REUTERS, 11/18).