Worrying news for all involved with Ireland's World Cup 2023 bid.
World Rugby has, this morning, released its' Rugby World Cup 2023 Bid Evaluation Report and it is a blow for the Irish bid.
The report has recommended that South Africa should host the tournament in six years' time.
The report was sent to the three host candidates - Ireland, France and South Africa - and the World Rugby Council. In it, the board recommends their host for 2023 tournament and it will surely have a bearing on the final council decision, announced in London on November 15.
To get the tournament awarded, Ireland will need a simple majority of 20 from the overall of 39 votes when the council convenes at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington in just over a fortnight.
As well as the Aviva Stadium, Thomond Park, The RDS and Kingspan Stadium, GAA grounds such as Croke Park, Casement Park, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Fitzgerald Park and Celtic Park.
https://youtu.be/LxVR55TLDik
The Irish bid was said to have been comprehensive and professional - claiming the country could more than accommodate a conservatively estimated 445,000 rugby fans over the months of September and October 2023.
The French and South African bids both leaned heavily on the extra money they could generate, and guarantee, to World Rugby. Given that the tournament will next be held in Japan, in 2019, such guarantees may yet hold water when the final vote takes place.
Disappointingly, Ireland rank third [from three] on the list of recommended nations. Each bid was rated out of 100, with Ireland's bid getting 72.75. The South African bid was a shade under 79.
