Reigate and Banstead borough’s bid to host a team for the Rugby World Cup in 2015 has moved a step closer.

The borough has been selected by England 2015 for the approved list of Team Bases for the competition - the third biggest global sporting event.

Bases on the approved list are not guaranteed to host teams but will be used to provide the competing nations with their Team Base options, many of which are currently undertaking visits of prospective bases. A Team Base must include an indoor and outdoor training facility, a gym, an indoor swimming pool and a hotel. These facilities must meet international team training standards and be located in close proximity to one another. The final list of Team Bases will be confirmed mid-2014 following completion of team visits and selection. The joint bid by Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, Old Reigatians Rugby Club, GLL, Nutfield Priory and Hawthorns School, is one of 65 to meet the criteria needed to make it onto the approved list, for the chance to host one of the 20 teams that will compete in the six-week tournament. Adam De Save, borough council executive member for leisure, said: “We are really pleased to have made the approved Team Base list for the Rugby World Cup 2015.”

Coun De Save said: “All those involved have worked really hard in bringing the bid together. “If we are selected to host a team, it will really put the borough’s sports and leisure facilities on the map, and be a great boost for sport and leisure in the borough and the local economy.” The borough’s bid includes recently revamped Old Reigatians Rugby Club, in Park Lane, Reigate, as a training base, Donyngs in Redhill for swimming pool and gym facilities, and Hawthorns School in Bletchingley as an additional training facility. David Forsyth of Old Reigatians Rugby Club, said: “Rugby World Cup 2015 is the third biggest global sporting event, and Old Reigatians are delighted that our facilities might be used by one of the competing nations.”

He said: “This would represent a wonderful accolade and opportunity for the club and for Reigate and Banstead.”

Andy Morris, head of sport at The Hawthorns School, said, “We are delighted that our facilities are considered suitable to support such a high-profile event as Rugby World Cup 2015, and we are very much looking forward to continuing to work closely with England 2015.”