Wales profited from Japan's RWC woes in their second game of the 1999 tournament, running in nine tries in a 64-15 win at the new Millennium Stadium.

BBC: Eastern Promise: Japanese rugby

"The IRB Council will announce the RWC 2015 and 2019 host unions in July 2009, six years prior to the first tournament and 10 years prior to the 2019 event, " added Lapasset.

BBC: IRB confirm 2015 & 2019 host bids