By Gary Anderson

September 18 - David Cameron and John Key exchange rugby balls to mark the two year countdown to England 2015British Prime Minister David Cameron and his New Zealand counterpart John Key have marked the two-year countdown to the start of the England 2015 Rugby World Cup by exchanging rugby balls at 10 Downing Street.

The ceremonial meeting confirmed the transfer from one Rugby World Cup host to the other as preparations continue for the International Rugby Board's (IRB) showpiece event, which runs from September 18 to October 31, 2015.

The 2011 Rugby World Cup took place in New Zealand and saw the hosts win the tournament for the second time, adding to their inaugural Rugby World Cup success in 1987, with a narrow 8-7 victory over France.

In 2015, hosts England will be hoping to improve on a disappointing performance in the "land of the long white cloud" where they lost out to runners-up France in the quarterfinal stage.

During the informal meeting in Downing Street, Key presented the British Premier with a rugby ball signed by the victorious 2011 All Black Rugby World Cup winning squad, while Cameron returned the gesture with a specially designed Gilbert two-years-to-go Rugby World Cup 2015 match ball.

In all, 48 matches will take place across ten host cities in England, as well as Cardiff in Wales, with the final scheduled for Twickenham on October 31.

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