According to USA Rugby, they have been accepted as a candidate to officially bid for the men’s event in 2027 or 2031 and the women’s edition in 2013.

As it stands, Russia and Australia are also bidding for events, with Australia currently favourites to host the men’s competition in 2027.

USA Rugby claimed that the decision to power ahead followed positive outcomes from the Rugby World Cup Feasibility Study that began in August 2020 and World Rugby Dialogue Phase.

The feasibility group, in tandem with USA Rugby, plans to continue its role and transition from exploratory phase to bid planning and preparation ahead of the January 2022 proposal deadline with World Rugby.

The group will bring together American rugby and sports experts to develop proposals across several hosting concept categories, including financial planning, event objectives, competitions, stadiums and host cities, player welfare, rugby development, legacy and more.

Ross Young, the chief executive of USA Rugby, is a former general manager of the Rugby World Cup.

"Putting our hand up to host a Rugby World Cup is a benchmark for the game in America, however the exciting stages are just now beginning as the stakeholder group continues into campaign planning," he said.

"The great work this group of subject matter experts, led by former director Jim Brown, has done supersedes what has happened previously at this stage, and truly highlights the potential for a Rugby World Cup being held on American soil."

Among the concepts being considered is a combined bid for both the men and women’s tournaments.

Brown has now been appointed as USA Rugby World Cup Bid chair, giving him the opportunity to chase a unique double.

He was also managing director of the FIFA 2026 World Cup Bid Committee which, in 2018, saw a joint proposal from the US, Canada and Mexico win the rights to host football’s flagship event.

Brown has also worked as executive director of competitions for the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cup in Germany and South Africa respectively.

"In August, we set out to do a full evaluation and expert analysis to answer a question long asked, can the United States host a Rugby World Cup?" Brown said.

"The process was an undertaking; however, we are delighted to confirm that the US could not only meet the technical requirements of hosting the men’s and women’s events, but also reach new levels of team and fan experience.

"We look forward to sharing results with the USA Rugby community and begin this journey towards rugby’s biggest stage."

There are currently 125,000 registered rugby players and 2,500 clubs in the US.

Professional club competition exists as Major League Rugby since 2017.

The men’s team have qualified for six of the seven Rugby World Cups to have taken place.

The women’s team rank among the best in the world.

They won the inaugural 1991 Women's World Cup and were runners-up in 1994 and 1998.