France, Ireland, Italy and South Africa have been confirmed as bidding for the right to stage to the 2023 World Cup, World Rugby has announced.
The quartet all submitted formal expressions of interest before last month’s deadline but the United States, an emerging rugby union nation decided to focus their attention on the hosting of the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens.
A decision on which country will stage the 2023 World Cup will be made in May 2017.
South Africa staged the World Cup in 1995, when the Springboks won the tournament on home soil, while France played host to the 2007 edition.
However, neither Ireland nor Italy, two of Europe’s elite Six Nations, have been the main hosts of a Rugby World Cup.
“The candidate hosts now have a year to benefit from detailed knowledge-sharing and preparation, including digesting the detailed tender requirements and observing Rugby World Cup 2015 hosting, before the confirmation to tender deadline of June 2016,” said Rugby World Cup tournament director Alan Gilpin in a statement.
“The announcement of the Rugby World Cup 2023 host in May 2017 will also provide the successful union with six years to prepare for the delivery of the event and maximise the benefits of observing the delivery of Japan 2019, the first Rugby World Cup to be hosted in Asia.”
Derm
Roar Guru
I think the point about Ireland or Italy never having hosted it before will possibly help their cases. Italy has never had any participation in hosting games in previous RWCs. It has the stadia capacity, but may have clashes with soccer season and getting sufficient domestic crowd numbers. No doubt it would be a popular destination for visiting fans and it hosted a soccer world cup in 1990. Ireland has had some matches in previous tournaments - the shared 5 Nations RWC in 1991 (5 matches), and pool E matches and a quarter-final in 1999. They didn't get any matches in France 2007, nor in RWC 2015. So by 2023 it would be 24 years since they were even partially involved. An all-island bid using a combination of existing rugby, soccer and GAA stadia would stand a good chance and the experience of running a comprehensive all-island host-town programme before for the Special Olympics World Games in 2003. France and South Africa have the advantage of the experience of having hosted the tournament before, with South Africa the only country to have hosted it on its own in 1995 and also of hosting a soccer world cup. Both should have the infrastructure and domestic numbers to make it a success.
Bakkies
Guest
It's had to be to get the various governments on board along with the GAA. The GAA have a representative on the bid board http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/34585.php#.VZqtkop4Wc3 Potential stadia http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/34585.php#.VZqtkop4Wc3 RDS is looking at a 25,000 capacity soon
Bakkies
Guest
Exactly and it wasn't as popular as it is now twenty years ago. Participation can never stop growing
Shop
Roar Guru
7's has had a huge boost because of the Olympics. Did you know Colombia classified for the female comp?
Shop
Roar Guru
A mix of reasons but it just didn't have the same positive atmosphere as the other ones (although I can't remember much of the 1987 cup as I was only young). Attendance wasn't great to the games I watched and of course the incessant booing of a particular player didn't help either. Regardless, I think the RWC has outgrown the country the size of NZ, which is why I think they'll always have to settle for a shared cup with Oz.
Birdy
Guest
Yes there is. Rugby has to compete with Football; Gaelic Football and Hurling.
Targa
Guest
I agree re Argentina. It would be fantastic to have a WC there and they would be a genuine chance at home. That would be a great chance to grow the game in South America (it sounds like 7s is growing fast in Brazil ahead of the Olympics).
Bakkies
Guest
Politics and threats to leave Sanzar comps don't win them many friends. They're going to need votes and do you think the ARU and NZRU will vote for them? Most of the law trials in the Varsity Cup are rubbish
pjm
Roar Rookie
Whys that?
pjm
Roar Rookie
Whys that.
pjm
Roar Rookie
There is no game development to be had in Ireland. The place is tiny and rugby is already popular.
pjm
Roar Rookie
Yes Bakkies it's a sort after event which means you don't get it back within 4 WCs.
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
I understand and agree with the ANC. But why are SARU a problem? No more so than the ARU or NZRU or RFU...... SARU have actually pioneered and trialled many breakthrough strategies, scoring structures and points systems (Varsity Cup), scrum laws and other law interpretations to progress the game. The rugby world kinda looks to see how it works at the junior levels in SA before considering changes.
Bakkies
Guest
They are hosting the RWC 7s. I don't think they are ready. You are talking about selling 2 million tickets and hiring out NFL and MLS stadiums that may have large rental fees. In Italy and France a lot of stadiums are municipal owned so it's more doable. A lot of recent matches that were planned for the US market have been cancelled and there is little promotion and news about the Wallabies match in Chicago.
Hello
Roar Rookie
Liking how well Ireland is organised
Shop
Roar Guru
I was hoping Argentina would throw their hat in the ring. Probably to do with dinero problems.
Shop
Roar Guru
I'm completely against the bidding fee, hopefully it won't be around for too long so Australia can hold it again. I agree that NZ will not hold it again solo, nor should they. Of the 4 cups I've attended it was least enjoyable for me.
Shop
Roar Guru
I'd like to see a Celtic Cup! Ireland, Scotland and Wales all sharing (without England or France).
AndyS
Guest
Thought the US decision was the most interesting point - perhaps indicative of a change in focus away from 15s and towards the Olympic version?
Harry Jones
Expert
An Irish World Cup would be an amazing 3 month pub crawl of epic proportions. Compact island nation. If SA doesn't get it, IRE should