MacNeill: We can take on the world

Could Ireland mount a successful bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup? The early signs are positive

Few members of the distinguished audience at this week’s 2014 Sport Tourism conference at Thomond Park listened more attentively to New Zealander Martin Snedden as he outlined how his country won the rights to stage the 2011 Rugby World Cup and made it a resounding success, against all the odds, than Hugo MacNeill.

The former Ireland and Lions full-back has been appointed chairman of a group charged by the Government to look at whether this country should bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.