Irish bid to host Rugby World Cup ‘holed’, but not sunk

Ireland’s bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup has been “holed”, but not sunk, by the report that placed them third of the three bids, IRFU chief, Philip Browne, has said.

Browne, who wrote a stinging letter to World Rugby CEO, Brett Gosper, last week, outlining Irish concerns about the report, said the team would battle until the first round of voting in London, next Wednesday.

The winner requires 20 of the World Rugby Council 39 votes.