Ireland
Ireland, France, Italy and South Africa to bid for 2023 World Cup
ESPN Staff
July 3, 2015
AFP PHOTO / ANDREW COWIE
AFP PHOTO / ANDREW COWIE© AFP PHOTO / ANDREW COWIE

World Rugby has announced that Ireland, France, Italy and South Africa are the four countries to officially declare that they will bid for the 2023 World Cup.

Each nation's governing body was given until a June 15 deadline to indicate a formal interest in holding the competition, with the bidding process coming to a conclusion in May 2017.

US Rugby had suggested that they would be willing to throw their hat in to the ring but opted not to lodge a bid at the last minute.

Bernard Lapasset, chairman of World Rugby, expressed his disappointment with the withdrawal of the US bid but stated that he was thrilled with the high level of interest from a multitude of nations.

"We are delighted with the strong level of Rugby World Cup 2023 hosting interest from unions and governments, which highlights the enormous appeal of Rugby World Cup as a low-risk, high-return economic, social and sporting driver," he said.

"Although USA Rugby ultimately decided not to proceed with a formal bid, it was very encouraging that they originally had expressed an interest in hosting rugby's flagship tournament."

Tournament director Alan Gilpin immediately reiterated that intense focus and preparation are required in a successful bidding process and suggested that each nation might benefit from observing how England hosts the Rugby World Cup 2015.

The nature of the countries involved means that the Rugby World Cup could return to Europe after its first trip to Asia, with Japan due to host the tournament in 2019.

© ESPN Staff

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