Ireland's hopes of hosting Rugby World Cup to become clearer today

The lie of that land will be much more obvious today.

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, writes Brendan O’Brien.

Among them is the effect such a carrot would be for Irish players who may be considering offers from cash-rich clubs in France and England in the years to come given the IRFU’s track record for ignoring those who leave for foreign shores.