THE IRFU ARE considering a bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023, and noises from today’s GAA central council meeting suggest that the association is ready to back the bid by opening up its stadia to the oval ball game.
With the Aviva Stadium, the RDS, Thomond Park and Ravenhill the largest venues for rugby in the country, the IRFU say they understand:
“Any bid would be heavily dependent on support from the Government and the GAA.”
The GAA’s rules prohibit the use of its grounds to be used for rugby or association football, but this was relaxed in 2005 when both codes were played in Croke Park.
The added infrastructure of the Jones Road venue along with Semple Stadium, the Gaelic Grounds and Páirc Uí Chaoimh would add considerable weight to the Union’s case.
A statement released by the GAA this afternoon did not rule out the opening of venues and promised the issue would be put to congress this winter.
“The Central Council of the GAA agreed to ask 2013 Congress if it is willing to amend Rule 5.1 to allow up to six GAA grounds to be used for the Rugby World Cup, in the event of a successful IRFU bid to host the 2023 or 2027 tournament.“The decision to place a motion on the 2013 Congress agenda allows the IRFU to proceed to explore the feasibility of an application.”
It is understood that the IRFU now have a year to decide if they will present their case before the IRB. Until GAA congress ratifies a rule change then the plan will remain firmly on the ground.
New Zealand hosted and won the 2011 World Cup, 2015 will see England attempt to emulate the feat and in 2019 the game’s show-piece event will take place in Japan.
“The Rugby World Cup in New Zealand showed what a country of four million people could achieve in terms of attracting visitors,” Browne said in a statement, “so an overall Ireland bid is something that the government was keen to discuss with us.”
I wonder how long it takes him to sign a few Irish in Bristol? Not saying it’s a bad thing but as he said he knows how good some of these players are
@Chris Mcdonnell: Well he’s already got Mads!
@RMcG: fair point I forgot about him but I was taking more about young players maybe second in line at their clubs.
I’m delighted for marmion. He got total of 6 minutes in the first two south African tests and was then replaced for the third by a player who had just announced his international retirement. He was clearly a player who deserved better than that and it took an injury to Murray to get his chance to show it. Still prefer Murray but Al least now we know that we have two 9s and 10s capable of playing.
Better than Murray potentially
@Alan Barber: that’s silly talk. Can you just not say he’s a fantastic player.
@Chris Mcdonnell: No. No I can’t Christmas Bells.
@Chris Mcdonnell: Chris this Alan b is like a sepsis on the 42. He lives on the soccer articles spewing about Man U or Liverpool can’t tell which as I don’t engage and now unfortunately he has infected the rugby comments.
My advice would be not to acknowledge him and hopefully he gets a job or something in the meantime
@bobby henderson: can just mute him. That’s what I did
There is no better preparation for playing Test Rugby, than actually playing test rugby. Critical that Murray has a deputy that is totally armed top step in when required. But is should not require injury to Murray for Marmion (or AN Other scrumhalf) to get sufficient game time to progress…
his big hots playing on the wing against Australia changed Joe’s perception of him
Marmion should be considered just as “cover” for Murray. He’s a different type of player and one that should be used when the strategy is complimented by his skillset. His consistent speed of delivery is top-drawer and he has the speed and eye for a gap to keep fringe defenses from taking short-cuts.
@Dennis Laffey: indeed it’s his eye for a gap that sets him apart from Murray. Marmion is such a nuggety little player, bristles with intent with or without the ball. If your an opposition nine he must drive you demented….
For me Murray rarely breaks whether it’s strategy or. choice,but it’s an oddity for a nine of his size who is by no means slow.
But it astonishes me given how much team’s target Sexton, that he doesn’t carry the ball up more himself and keep opposition backrows guessing….
Have some decorum, Daragh, its’ free