World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper believes an early England exit in the World Cup is unacceptable, but don't expect Debbie Jevans to share the same sentiment. The chief executive of England's World Cup organizing committee wants the hosts to make the knockout round, but says it's not essential for the event.
"From our perspective, it doesn't make a difference," Jevans said (via BBC). "Of course you think about it when you look at the tough group England are in and the impact that may or may not have, but I think our job as an organizing committee is to make sure that we deliver an event that is the best it can be."
England were drawn into a group with Wales, Uruguay and a familiar tournament foe in Australia. The team will open the tournament on Sept. 18 against Fiji at Twickenham Stadium in London.
Jevans shared her preference of an England versus New Zealand final, but reiterated that anything but will not affect the tournament's success.
"Our focus is not about who wins or is in the final," Jevans added. "From a delivery perspective, we are genuinely looking at it as delivering for 20 teams and making sure they can all compete to the best of their ability."
"Our biggest selling ticket so far has been Argentina versus New Zealand, so I am not at all concerned about England being the sole focus of the Rugby World Cup."
Since the tournament's inception, England have qualified for every knockout stage, including a championship run in 2003. The formation of the group wasn't on their side, but history surely is.
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