Rugby World Cup 2023 bid - Go Ireland!

Ireland’s bid to host the 10th Rugby World Cup in 2023 was formally submitted to the World Rugby offices in Dublin yesterday.

There are two other contenders, France and South Africa, both of whom have hosted the tournament. This will be a historically significant tournament as it will mark the 200th anniversary of Willaim Webb Ellis’ “invention” of the game.

Emergency legislation is required to ensure specific guarantees from the Irish organising body can be provided for.

Sport Minister Shane Ross has said the Oireachtas must pass a bill by the summer recess to support the bid.

Even though the suggestion that emergency legislation is needed nearly always sounds the alarm bells, hopefully this difficulty will be resolved and the bid can proceed.

Should the bid be successful the tournament would be by far the biggest sports event hosted by this island.

It would attract global attention over a protracted period and be of enormous benefit to post-Brexit Ireland.

It would also be a challenge that would strengthen the spirit of community that made this bid possible in the first place. Go Ireland!