I wish to demur from what is supposed to be grave national insult and disappointment that Ireland was not awarded the 2023 Rugby World Cup. 

How did the voting work?

So much for transparency. For all the good intention of overseeing the most open, least questionable bidding process for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, governing body World Rugby is this morning as big a loser as South Africa, whose bid it unanimously recommended on October 31.

Ireland’s bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup has been “holed”, but not sunk, by the report that placed them third of the three bids, IRFU chief, Philip Browne, has said.

World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper has hinted that Ireland’s timing hasn’t been right as the country finds itself ranked behind “two masters of the universe in terms of putting on major world events” in the race to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

The IRFU has doubled down on its doubts over South Africa’s suitability to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup, with the union continuing to push for answers on aspects of the technical review which last week recommended the Rainbow Nation.

South African Rugby chief executive Jurie Roux hopes “sanity will prevail” in the vote to decide the hosts of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Michael Moynihan reports back from after the 2023 Rugby World Cup and tells us missing out was no bad thing. 

Ireland’s 2023 World Cup bid committee has come out punching in support of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s assertion that their challenge to host the tournament is still very much alive.

Here's your lunchtime news bulletin.

Problems with venues, IT services, and a lack of experience were major contributing factors which have left Ireland’s dream of hosting the 2023 Rugby World Cup in tatters.

Frontrunners at breakfast, dirt-trackers by brunch.

A “desperately slow” process to redevelop Belfast’s Casement Park won’t speed up should Ireland’s 2023 Rugby World Cup bid fail.

Nobody should really be surprised the board of World Rugby, the sport’s governing body, has recommended South Africa as its unanimous choice to host the 2023 World Cup.

Two weeks ago Munster and Irish rugby had a harsh commercial reality underlined. 

Ireland's hopes of hosting the 2023 Rugby World Cup have been dealt a blow as South Africa has been recommended for the job, the tournament's organising board has announced.

Not everyone is convinced by the arguments for hosting an event like the 2023 Rugby World Cup but the prospect of the tournament taking place in Ireland would certainly have all manner of unforeseen or under-appreciated consequences.

Irish rugby put its best foot forward this week as it made the case for Ireland to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup, writes Declan Jordan.

Philip Browne doesn’t do extremes of emotion or hyperbole.

The Ireland team bidding to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup are planning to make tickets 30% cheaper than those that were on offer for the last tournament in England.

Here's your lunchtime news bulletin.

The South African government have approved a €170m guarantee to strengthen the country’s chances of hosting the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

The IRFU took the decision to seriously assess bidding for a Rugby World Cup having observed the manner in which the 2011 tournament was run in New Zealand and the success the tournament achieved both for New Zealand and the game of rugby worldwide, writes Philip Browne.

“I make no apologies for it — I’m the guy who wants to bring the Olympics to Dublin.”

An ill-informed minority cannot be allowed to jeopardise Ireland’s bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the Seanad heard yesterday.

There are genuine reasons for concern over Brexit’s impact on Ireland’s bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, writes Paul Rouse.

The Government has said underwriting a €320m bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup bid is “not a waste of money” amid fierce criticism yesterday.

Is Steve Hansen getting the best out of a world-class talent like Beauden Barrett? asks Donal Lenihan

One of the first things you learn booking flights for this summer tour is that contrary to the initial IRFU missive announcing Ireland taking on the USA en route to Japan, is that it ain’t on the way to the Land of the Rising Sun.

Promoters of entertainment and sporting events have clashed over whether legislation is needed to govern the resale of tickets which can be sold at prices far in excess of face value.

Joe Schmidt will be hoping Steve Hansen doesn’t bear a grudge when the All Blacks head coach helps pull Ireland’s 2019 World Cup pool opponents out of the bag during today’s draw in Kyoto, Japan.

Here's your evening update.

Whether you’re a French fan or an Irish fan, this weekend you are going to have to fork out to enjoy the Six Nations clash in Dublin.

Despite spending more on sport (€2.5bn in 2016 vs €2.4bn in 2014), Irish people are spending less time on participating in sport or activity.

Former Ireland great Gordon D’Arcy has backed Ireland’s bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

During the week Sport Ireland opened a national indoor sports arena. Or manrena, maybe.

GAA president Aogán Ó Fearghail’s suggestion, one echoed by Tyrone’s Mickey Harte, that the organisation might consider not playing the national anthem or flying the Tricolour at its games in the event of a “political realignment on the island” has provoked an entirely predictable and pointless response.

A larger-than-life personality and true green Irish sporting hero was the last occupant of 5 Menloe Park; now, quite the scrum of viewing interest can be expected on this five-bed Blackrock home’s arrival on the open market.

Good afternoon. Here’s all the news you need to know this lunchtime.