We’re throwing two governments, legends such as Brian O’Driscoll and Keith Wood, Croker, the Aviva Stadium, a heap of money and a handful of horse-shoes into this bid
The governments of Ireland, Northern Ireland and the IRFU have officially confirmed, this morning, that they will bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
The announcement was made at The Royal School in Armagh by IRFU chief executive Phillip Browne and the magnitude of the occasion was marked with a glitzy launch video and an impressive list of stats and figures that amount to a concrete Irish case. The union is hoping to draft in well-known rugby personalities such as O’Driscoll and Wood to add star appeal to the bid.
Browne said: “The Irish Rugby Football Union believes that Ireland, and its people, will make the perfect hosts for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
“The Rugby World Cup is one of the world’s major sporting events and the IRFU has been a central supporter of the tournament since its inauguration in 1988.
“In addition, Ireland has played a major part in the development of rugby football internationally. Stretching back to the Union’s formation in 1879, and right throughout the modern era, Irish rugby has supplied a series of inspirational players and administrators to the international game. We believe it is opportune for us now to put forward Ireland’s undoubted credentials to host world rugby’s showpiece.”
Speaking at the announcement, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said: “I am delighted to formally announce the Government’s support, in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Executive, to formally back the IRFU’s bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
“Ireland will put together a winning bid that will be impossible to resist. We have the fans, the stadiums, and the accessibility to make it a World Cup to remember. Irish people love our sport. We are passionate about sport and we celebrate it.
“We want to share the Irish sporting experience with the world by inviting the world to Ireland. I’m absolutely confident that Ireland will host the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The Government will provide its full support to make it happen.”
Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson also spoke, saying: “I fully support this bid by the IRFU to bring an elite international sporting event to the home of one of the powerhouses of world rugby. It would be a tremendous achievement to see the IRFU host the Rugby World Cup 2023.”
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness discussed the popularity of the World Cup and the implications of a successful Irish bid.
He said: “I fully endorse the IRFU bid to bring the Rugby World Cup to Ireland in 2023. Rest assured we will put together a robust and compelling bid to bring this sporting spectacle to Ireland.
“This would involve teams coming to Ireland weeks in advance for training camps providing a major boost to the tourism industry and that’s before the supporters from across the world descend. In 2007 the Rugby World Cup broadcast in over 200 countries and attracted a television audience of 4.2 billion so the potential audience is huge.”
The bidding process is a lengthy one, involving the development of an in-depth programme that details the potential match venues, accommadation, transport facilities and international access, to name a few.
The decision is not expected on the success or failure of the Irish bit until mid 2017.
The GAA have announced that it would make its venues readily available for the staging of games which will benefit the bid team when developing a detailed match schedule.
Ireland’s rivals for the 2023 World Cup will likely be South Africa, Argentina and a combined bid from America and Canada.
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