THE Welsh Rugby Union is preparing a bid to host the IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens in Wales in 2018.

Wales, the current World Sevens champions, will defend the title they won in Dubai four years ago later this month in the 2013 event in Moscow.

The WRU is to bid to host the next showpiece tournament, which will take place in five years’ time in 2018. The event has been moved to fit in line between the Olympic Games in 2016 and 2020, in the first of which, rugby sevens will be instated.

WRU group chief executive, Roger Lewis, said: “Major sporting events around the world are so important in defining a country in terms of its culture, its value and its beliefs. The economic benefits of global sporting events for host nations are considerable.

“We have got eight games in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, we are bidding for the European Cup Finals next year and we are preparing a bid for the 2018 IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens to come to Cardiff. The impact of these great rugby occasions will be felt on and off the field.

“We go to Moscow in a few weeks’ time as the holders of the Rugby World Cup Sevens which we won in Dubai in 2009 and that will be an amazing event for the Russian capital.

“The eyes of the world will be on Russia and I want to bring that focus to Cardiff and Wales in 2018.

“Rugby sevens has recently grown exponentially across the world and it’s going to continue to grow over the coming 10 years and we want the WRU to play a part in encouraging its success.

“We have a great sevens team in Wales, Paul John has done a great job. Sevens has historically been part of our Welsh rugby DNA and its now capturing the imagination of the world.

“I’ve informed the IRB of our proposal and also the Welsh Government. We have built a reputation for delivering world class events at the WRU with an outstanding team of people – we aim to give our bid the best possible chance of success.”

The man entrusted with defending Wales’ World Cup crown in Moscow at the end of this month, has welcomed the WRU’s decision to bid for the hosting of the 2018 World Cup Sevens tournament.

Wales team manager Dai Jenkins said: “The bid is great news for rugby fans not only in Wales, but world-wide.

“Since 2007 the IRB’s world series has grown into a magnificent event and the World Cup is the pinnacle of the sport.”