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Rugby World Cup: Ireland upbeat for 2023 tournament bid

Last updated on .From the section Irish Rugbycomments30

The Aviva Stadium in Dublin would be among the venues for the 2023 Rugby World Cup
The Aviva Stadium in Dublin would be among the venues for the 2023 Rugby World Cup

Ireland have outlined their case to host the 2023 World Cup a week before the bid presentation is delivered to the World Rugby Council.

The Irish hope to get the nod over South Africa and France when the final decision is made on 15 November.

"The bid has an unrivalled commercial package, the largest number of travelling fans and a legacy programme to help crack America," said the IRFU.

The Irish bid team aims to deliver a 'Tournament Like No Other'.

Traditional rugby stadiums such as the Aviva in Dublin, the Kingspan at Ravenhill in Belfast and Thomond Park in Limerick would stage matches.

However, a 2023 World Cup in Ireland would also hope to use a number of impressive Gaelic football venues, including the 82,300-capacity Croke Park in Dublin and Belfast's Casement Park.

Focus on the future

"This bid represents the hopes and aspirations of the entire island and is focussed very firmly on the future," said Kevin Potts, Ireland Bid Director.

"It presents World Rugby with a compelling proposition that combines all the advantages of a traditional rugby market with the many opportunities of a new one.

"This bid is grounded in certainty through unparalleled government support, the availability and suitability of sold out, iconic stadiums set in the heart of cities and towns and, of course, Ireland's unrivalled access through our diaspora to the North American market."

IRFU chief executive Philip Browne added that Ireland "is truly ready for the world - ready to host the world and ready to promote rugby throughout the world."

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30 comments

  • Comment posted by Dom, at 13:15 19 Sep 2017

    Don't understand the USA market point.

    However, some of those Gaelic stadiums are enormous! The rugby Irish public are great. Ireland really deserve to have a Home RWC.

  • Comment posted by LD Rob, at 13:37 19 Sep 2017

    France and South Africa have already had a world cup and Ireland hasn't. Ireland are currently ranked fourth in the world and were the last national side to beat the ABs. Put simply they deserve it. I can see loads of fans travelling to Ireland for a massive party - something the Irish are good at. I hope all the home unions get behind the Irish bid!

  • Comment posted by U15583795, at 22:33 19 Sep 2017

    20 ... I'm afraid you dont know much about Irish stadia.
    Croke park 83,000
    Semple stadium 53,000
    Aviva stadium 52,000
    Gaelic grounds Limerick 50,000
    Cork 47,000
    etc etc etc.
    ps before you mention that these are not Rugby stadia remind yourself of where the majority of matches were played when England were hosts .

  • Comment posted by Dowlais, at 16:52 19 Sep 2017

    Why not?
    Good excuse to visit the Emerald Isle!
    Given that some of us are still alive then!

  • Comment posted by U15647195, at 15:36 19 Sep 2017

    I there is not a better place to hold a RWC knowledgeable and friendly people brilliant hospitality,might need to look at some of the stadia,and the border issue post brexit but I'm all for it.
    Please don't give it to the Saffies I don't think I could stand another rainbow nation stitch up like the last time.

  • Comment posted by U15583795, at 13:51 19 Sep 2017

    Final at Croke park .
    Fourth biggest stadium in Europe.
    83,000 modern stadium 15mins bus ride from St James gate Guinness brewery .
    What an occasion !

  • Comment posted by M1nesApint, at 17:13 19 Sep 2017

    7. ancientfullback15 - Croke Park is an epic place to watch sport no doubt about that!

    I notice that your comment has 2 down votes. I wonder whether either individual has ever been there? I had the great privilege of watching a Kilkenny v Tipperary All Ireland hurling final a few years ago and it was a fabulous spectacle with a magic atmosphere. Highly recommended.

  • Comment posted by U16696611, at 20:23 19 Sep 2017

    Out of the three it should go to Ireland as they have not hosted it. France are probably least likely since they hosted it as recently as 2007. I don't understand why Italy pulled out as it would have been great for the country to push rugby further as it seems to have stalled at the moment.

  • Comment posted by autumn, at 17:02 19 Sep 2017

    I hope that Ireland will host the 2023 Rugby World Cup. In 2019 the competition
    takes place in Japan. Alan Gilpin says: 'Japan are behind on preparations.' It seems to me that people's interest in rugby is lower. Anyway, I am Japanese.

  • Comment posted by Chaz, at 14:11 19 Sep 2017

    As long as the bid has full government support (which it clearly has) as well as the support of the whole population (which all indicators also suggest) this would be just brilliant. I'm already planning my trip.

  • Comment posted by Rugby Guru, at 21:34 19 Sep 2017

    Would love Ireland to host the cup they are fantastic fans and great ambassadors for the sport bring on the green! Nope and I'm not Irish either.

  • Comment posted by Pie and Lattes, at 21:33 19 Sep 2017

    Yep, totally support the Irish bid. Would love to see the RWC hosted there. Wouldn't have minded an Italian bid mind. Good luck to the organisers

  • Comment posted by Professional Well Wisher, at 19:45 19 Sep 2017

    You do get a lot of kevball trolls polluting more grown up discussions

  • Comment posted by Kirk7973, at 14:42 19 Sep 2017

    Ireland would be a great place ot host this wonderful tournament but, as supposed factual reporters, can the BBC please check the facts before publishing (maybe a first)? The grounds mentioned such as Croke Park and Casement Park are GAA grounds that host hurling and Gaelic football. Hurlers in Ulster (including Northern Ireland) already have a hard time playing second fiddle to Gaelic football.

  • Comment posted by ancientfullback15, at 14:01 19 Sep 2017

    Croke Park is an epic place to watch sport no doubt about that!

  • Comment posted by jammin78, at 12:40 20 Sep 2017

    My order of preference:
    1) Ireland - never hosted on their own
    2) South Africa - last hosted 22 years ago
    3) France - last hosted 10 years ago

    Give the Irish a crack at it, would be a great atmosphere!

  • Comment posted by U16604547, at 14:46 19 Sep 2017

    I'd go and watch at any of the three destinations which I've thoroughly enjoyed in the past. A bad day at the rugby sure as hell beats an excellent day in the office.

  • Comment posted by WurzelJ, at 13:39 19 Sep 2017

    What a fantastic rugby party THAT would be. Ireland thoroughly deserve to host it. Good craic and they exemplify the best of the sport. No chance of terrorist violence or being mugged in the street, either.

  • Comment posted by Let the Red Dragon Rise, at 09:41 20 Sep 2017

    @24 Semple & Gaelic stadium aren't part of the bid. Pairc Ui Chaoimh is but it's capacity,is 45,770 making it a lot smaller than both France's (Parc des Princes 61,000) & SA's (Cape town 55,000) 3rd biggest stadium. France's smallest stadium in the bid is Stade de la Mosson 32,900, SA's Mbombeia Stadium, 40,929, Ireland's is Kingspan Stadium 18,168. Ireland have the smallest stadium from the bids

  • Comment posted by Professional Well Wisher, at 16:09 19 Sep 2017

    For the last 20 years rugby has been gaining in popularity across all Ireland and not just the 3 traditional provinces. 2023 would suit Ireland nicely as I think by then they could be very competitive and probably sit 1 or 2 in the rankings for a sustainable period (ranked 1 for a short period). Having been to many Irish games I'd say their fans will always be ranked number 1.

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