With the 2015 Rugby World Cup hosted by England, last year's tournament in Japan - the first to be staged in Asia - and the 2023 edition set to be staged in France, it's likely the 2027 tournament will go to a bid from the southern hemisphere.
The decision on the 2027 and 2031 Rugby World Cups are expected to be confirmed within two years, with Australia and North America regarded as leading candidates to host the tournaments.
International rugby has been shuttered during the coronavirus pandemic, but New Zealand has already kicked off a domestic replacement for the suspended Super Rugby competition with a five-team competition involving its Super Rugby franchises. Australia's domestic Super Rugby tournament is set to kick off next week.
Australia and New Zealand are hoping to play an expanded Bledisloe Cup series between the All Blacks and Wallabies later this year.