THREE of the teams battling for the Rugby World Cup next year are to stay and train in Sussex during the tournament.

Japan, Samoa, and twice-winners South Africa will be training at team bases near the coast, it has just been announced.

Brighton College will host Japan while the University of Brighton will host Samoa at its Falmer campus and South Africa at its Eastbourne campus with Eastbourne College.

More than 80 prospective bases bid to host the twenty world cup teams, with the tournament's organisers picking the hosts.

Each team base has outdoor pitch, indoor training facility, swimming pool, gym and hotel.

Brighton was also picked as one of ten match cities, with two games to be played at the American Express Community Stadium.

Professor Julian Crampton, vice-chancellor of the University of Brighton, said the university was "delighted" to be hosting the teams.

He added: "Brighton and Hove and Eastbourne are diverse and convivial communities and we very much look forward to welcoming the Rugby World Cup 2015 teams.

“Our state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor facilities are enjoyed by thousands of students, local clubs and residents, and are used to support elite athletes at national and Olympic-levels.

“Their selection by Rugby World Cup 2015 as training bases for two national rugby teams is an exciting opportunity for the university to be part of what is one of the biggest sporting event in the world.”

Brighton College head master Richard Cairns said it was a "great honour" to host Japan.

He added: "I know the boys and girls of Brighton College are going to be thrilled to hear this news.

“Rugby is, after all, a passion for so many of them - hundreds of young people play rugby here every week.

"Brighton College has produced nine professional rugby players in the last five years, so the home ground has certainly seen its share of young talent.

"But to know that this same ground will soon play host to one of the world’s top national teams will be a source of tremendous excitement and pride for every one of our pupils."

Councillor Geoffrey Bowden, responsible for sport and leisure for Brighton and Hove City Council, said the announcement was a "milestone" in the countdown to the event.

He added: "Everyone is looking forward to the competition, which will be yet another great opportunity to showcase Brighton & Hove on an international stage.”

South Africa will face Japan at the Amex stadium on September 19 and Samoa will take on the USA the next day.

The tournament will begin on September 18 with England playing Fiji, at Twickenham.

New Zealand is favourite to win the four-yearly event.