u/KOSTER07

So the first thing I noticed, following both football and rugby, is that first-time hosters are much rarer in Rugby. Obviously the US will be the big one, hosting their first world cup, and Japan also had their first in '19. But before that we have to go back to South Africa in '95.

But anyway, my pick for a first-time hoster would be Spain/Portugal, either or both (Well there was the Women RWC in '02, but we're looking at the Men WC). First off, an EU timezone WC would be great after an Aussie timezone and a US timezone WC. But also the game is evolving quite rapidly in these countries and it'd be a great boost to their local rugby, and could incentivise them to rethink their league, similar to how France reshaped the Top 14 in preparation for their WC. Maybe even a fused Portugal/Spain league?

For other good first-time hosters, there are plenty of countries in South America that would probably be open to host, Argentina is a great pick on its own! For more EU timezones, Italy, Georgia, Romania could also be a good choice. And hey, even Ireland has never hosted a WC on its own, it was shared with other countries in the British Isles (Well except for the '17 Women RWC, but again). And for Oceania, if we're looking in 9 years in the future, I'm afraid floods would become too big of an issue for events like the RWC, or any major events for the matter, so sadly not possible.

Now if World Rugby doesn't want first-time hosters, plenty of countries are reaching 15/20 years since their last WC, which seems to be the average for repeat hosters. Japan would be at 16 years, which is why they bid again, England at 20, New Zealand at 24 and South Africa at 40 years since their last WC!

Now if you really want my opinion for a repeat hoster...

FRANCE ALL THE WAY BABYYYYY!!!!! A WORLD CUP EVERY 12 YEARS!!!!! NO BOK (boks or bo'k haha funny) IS STOPPING US THIS TIME!!!! ALLEZ LES BLEUS RAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!