Japan Union denies RWC vote challenge

The Japan Rugby Union have denied any involvement in the legal attempt made last week to have the result of the 2011 World Cup vote annulled.

The International Rugby Board received a letter from an English firm of solicitors, supposedly sent on behalf of the Asian Rugby Football Union of which Japan is a member, threatening legal action unless a new vote takes place before March 31.

The letter prompted a satement from the IRB, denying that the solicitors were any representative of the Asian Union.

"A letter containing various unsubstantiated and unfounded allegations has been sent to the IRB from an English firm of solicitors purporting to act on behalf of the Asian Rugby Football Union (the Asian Regional Association of the IRB) and was printed in part in an English newspaper," read the statement.

"The democratically elected officials of the Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) have informed the IRB that the letter should not have been sent as it does not represent the views of ARFU and that the person who it seems engaged the solicitors did not have the constitutional authority to do so.

"The Secretary General of ARFU has written to the solicitors stating that they must cease and desist purporting to act for and on behalf of the Asian Rugby Football Union. "

The decision to award the 2011 tournament to New Zealand ahead of Japan was met with widespread disappointment within the game.

The letter raises concerns over the lack of transparency in the voting and details specific allegations of 'horse-trading' for votes.

"As a union we are looking to the future, rather than looking to the past - and we are determined, together with the IRB and other member unions, to continue making every effort to make the game a truly global sport," said JRFU chairman Nobby Mashimo.

"We hope that we can continue to play a major role in the development of rugby in Asia and help the IRB achieve its goal."