France looking to spoil Ireland’s World Cup hopes… again

Sure it wouldn't be like the French to go and rain on our parade.

Ireland denied World Cup place owing to late French activity. *shivers chillingly* This time though, we don't even have Thierry Henry to blame. But we're sure his foul play is behind this somewhere. Somehow. If the Irish dream of hosting the 2023 Rugby World Cup wasn't tough enough to achieve, it looks to have gotten a whole lot more difficult with France jumping back aboard a ship they got to sail themselves only eight years ago. The 2007 host nation is set to bid for the rights to stage the World Cup again after Japan's tournament in four years' time and, with Ireland amongst the countries vying to bring the competition home, not even a sympathetic message from the dapper David Ginola could ease the pain this time if we missed out. It already looked a big ask anyway with the Irish competing against the likes of Italy and movement expected to come from South Africa and the USA, too. But, now, French rugby newspaper, Midi Olympique, are reporting that Les Bleus are also joining the race. This is going to he a tense... couple of years. - "What time is it, Ted?" - "Half past one." - "Half one? And the naming of the competition host is on in?" "May. May 2017."