Ireland's chances of hosting the Rugby World Cup in 2023 got a boost today after World Rugby released the full list of countries who had bid to host the tournament by the deadline.
It was expected that both Argentina and the USA would provide stern competition to Ireland's bid, but neither country have submitted a final bid. This leaves just France, Italy and South Africa as Ireland's competition to host the tournament.
World Rugby chairman Bernard Lapasset said of the bidding nations and America's interest:
We are delighted with the strong level of Rugby World Cup 2023 hosting interest from unions and governments, which highlights the enormous appeal of Rugby World Cup as a low-risk, high-return economic, social and sporting driver. We look forward to further detailed dialogue as the process progresses.
Although USA Rugby ultimately decided not to proceed with a formal bid, it was very encouraging that they originally had expressed an interest in hosting rugby’s flagship tournament. In the end, they decided to focus instead on other upcoming projects, not least the hosting of Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018, but they are an ambitious and progressive union and I have no doubt they will bid to host Rugby World Cup at some point in the future.
The host nation for the tournament will be announced in May 2017. Of the competition that Ireland face to host the tournament, both South Africa and France have previously hosted a full tournament, and just Italy haven't hosted any World Cup games at all.
What it does mean for Irish rugby fans is that no matter where the tournament is held, all matches in the competition will have kickoff times that won't require waking up early in the morning like in New Zealand 2011 or Japan 2019; or stay up until the early hours of the morning like if it were being held in America.
See Also: How An Expanded Rugby World Cup Affects Ireland's 2023 Hosting Bid
See Also: Which GAA Stadiums Are Part Of The Ireland 2023 RWC Bid?
Picture credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE
