France to stage 2007 Rugby World Cup
France won 18 of the 21 votes at stake in the voting by the International Rugby board with England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand having two votes each, with Canada, Argentina, Japan, Italy and the International Amateur Rugby Federation (FIRA) holding one apiece.
Both countries made their final presentations yesterday. French sports minister Jean-Francois Lamour hailed the IRB's decision.
"The staging of this World Cup will radiate around the whole of France with 10 French cities in the world's spotlight as host venues," he said.
He added: "In organising this World Cup France is being faithful to her sporting roots, and to her sense of hospitality."
The IRB's acting chairman, Syd Millar, said that France's bid retaining the existing World Cup format proved more seductive than England's concept of splitting the event into two one for the larger rugby nations and a second larger competition for the minnows.
Millar, the former Ireland and Lions prop explained: "The dream of one day performing on a world stage alongside the giants of rugby sustains the aspirations of many of our most promising nations and their players.
"Whilst the underlying concept of greater inclusiveness was appreciated, widespread soundings amongst the developing nations had in fact indicated a strong preference to maintain the current format."
England's claim that their bid would generate 100 million pounds of revenue failed to win the argument.
France said England were over-estimating, basing their figures on a rise in ticket prices of between 30 and 40% that the market would not sustain.
The French claimed their own project would bring in around 50 million pounds. They also believed that as England staged the 1991 tournament, it was their turn.
France, World Cup hosts for the first time, proposed a 20-team, 48-match tournament running from September 7 to October 20.
The IRB had said June-July or October-November were the preferred dates.
France have offered Wales, Scotland and Ireland three first-round matches each, with a quarter-final in the Millennium Stadium.
The 2007 tournament in France will see first round pool matches in Edinburgh, Cardiff, Dublin, Marseille, Montpellier, Toulouse, Lens, St Etienne, Lyon, the Stade de France and Parc des Princes.
The Stade de France would stage two quarter-finals, with the other two being played at Cardiff and Marseille.
Both semi-finals, final and third place play-off would be staged at the 80,000-capacity Stade de France.
A spokesman for the IRFU said that it was very pleased the French bid had succeeded. Both Irish IRB representatives, Noel Murphy and Syd Millar voted for France and we believe they deserve the right to host the competition because of their history in the game and their contribution over the years.
"The three first round games in Ireland will help keep Irish rugby in the shop window of international rugby," the spokesman said.
France, Scotland, Ireland and Wales were given matches when England hosted the 1991 World Cup and the first three plus England were given matches when Wales staged the 1999 tournament.
The English presentation was made by businessmen while France made a more emotional appeal with rugby personalities: the president of the French Rugby Federation Bernard Lapasset, accompanied by the France coach Bernard Laporte, national team manager Jo Maso and the former captain Jean-Pierre Rives.
This year's World Cup in Australia runs from October 10 to November 22.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
