France wants to stage the 2023 Rugby World Cup in 12 cities across the country if it is awarded the tournament.
The French rugby federation says matches would take place in the cities of Bordeaux, Lens, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, Nantes, Nice, Paris, Saint-Denis, Saint-Etienne and Toulouse.
France is up against Ireland and South Africa for the 2023 hosting rights. The host will be selected in November.
French rugby federation president Bernard Laporte says the “French bid is receiving a broad support from elected representatives in big French cities.”
Ireland is looking to host the tournament for the first time, while South Africa hosted and won the 1995 edition. France reached the semi-finals as host in 2007, when Laporte was coach.
Tutema
Guest
France has alrealdy hosted one World Cup (2007)
Lara
Guest
Both France or Ireland would make brilliant first time host. Would be happy with either.
FraggleWrangler
Roar Rookie
I would like to see Ireland host. Nothing against France but 2007 is seems very recent to someone my age. Unfortunately, this will once again see a bidding war for votes involving the 6 Nations. This will involve France and Ireland telling Wales, Scotland, and England that voting for them will mean England playing their world cup games in the small Irish village of Twickenham, Wales playing in the provincial French town of Cardiff, and the Scots playing at Murrayfield, which I assume is a local Irish GAA ground, just near Gare du Nord station, 10th Arrondissement, Paris. I could hope that the IRB puts an end to the old 5 nations playing all their äway" games at their home grounds and insists that host nations actually HOST all the games, but that would be assuming the IRB wasn't a corrupt gaggle of old boys.
Old Bugger
Guest
Exactly.....this one's gotta be to Ireland.....surely??
Hello
Roar Rookie
Go Ireland
Barham
Roar Rookie
Disappointed Italy dropped out. That would be a great place to host one. Wish Argentina would bid too.