THE IRFU HAS issued a clinical response to World Rugby’s official commencement of the applicant stage of its 2023 Rugby World Cup host selection process.

Ireland, along with Italy, France and South Africa (though the latter’s bid remains officially blocked by their government) have all expressed an interest in hosting the tournament and have a deadline of 1 September to submit their bids.

World Rugby have today outlined seven key criteria which the applicants will be judged on.

• Venues and infrastructure commensurate with a top-tier major event.
• Comprehensive and enforceable public and private sector guarantees.
• A commercially successful event with a fully-funded, robust financial model.
• Operational excellence through an integrated and experienced delivery team.
• A vision that engages and inspires domestic and international audiences and contributes to the growth of rugby at all levels.
• An enabling environment of political and financial stability that respects the diversity of Rugby World Cup’s global stakeholders.
• An environment and climate suited to top-level sport in a geography that allows maximum fan mobility.

Bid director for Ireland, Kevin Potts, said:

“We are fully confident that Ireland’s proposition to host the tournament will satisfy, and indeed exceed, expectations across World Rugby’s seven priority objectives for RWC 2023.

Ireland will have a chance to demonstrate hosting ability on a smaller scale when the Women's World Cup gets under way next year. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Ireland to host one of the world’s biggest sporting events and we intend to ensure Ireland’s proposition will be world class and compelling.”

The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!

‘What fuels blind faith?’: Connacht’s video marking their long-term vision is brilliantly spine-tingling

Archive>> Ireland’s 2023 RWC bid already has 40% of the vote, says Spring