IRB chief excited by Irish bid

Ireland’s bid to host the 2023 World Cup has been given a huge boost after IRB chief executive Brett Gosper described the country as “a wonderful candidate”.

Sports Minister Leo Varadkar announced on Monday he was exploring the possibility of hosting the tournament.

The tournament would be worth an estimated €800m to the economy and with bids due to be officially submitted by 2016, the Irish candidacy has been encouraged by the IRB, who are based in Dublin.