We will win bid for Rugby World Cup

Ireland’s bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023 will be impossible to resist, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said.

Mr Kenny expressed bullish confidence last night that the sporting showpiece could be secured as he and counterparts from the Northern Ireland Executive pledged their support for an all-Ireland bid.

“This is a bid to win,” he said. “In 2023 it will be in Ireland — I have no doubt. I know in my heart we are going to win.”

He added: “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.”

The IRFU announced its intention yesterday to bid for the tournament at a launch event in Armagh. The bid will not have to be submitted to the game’s governing body, World Rugby, until 2016 with a decision expected in 2017.

While Ireland would have to pay at least €120m to host the event, politicians from both sides of the border said the price would be worth it, as the tournament would ultimately generate more for the economy.

Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson said there would undoubtedly be cynics who would question such a potential outlay in times of austerity.