IRELAND COULD ENTER the race to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup after the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport said he would be “very interested” in opening discussions on a potential bid.
Russia and the United States of America have already indicated that they would like to stage the global showpiece which takes place in England in 2015 before moving to Japan in 2019.
But this afternoon, Minister Leo Varadkar supported the suggestion that Ireland would be a viable candidate if the IRB decides to award the tournament to a European country in 2023.
“It would be great to host a major tournament like the Rugby World Cup in 2023,” Varadkar said.
“It would require discussions with the IRFU and others, and there are usually significant cost implications in these matters. The country is also struggling with the Budget at the moment.
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“But it’s something I’d certainly be very interested in exploring further with the IRFU.”
In 1991, Ireland staged part of the World Cup as part of a joint bid with the Home Nations and France. Three pool games, a quarter-final and a semi-final were played in Lansdowne Road while another pool game was held in Belfast.
Any solo bid to host the World Cup in Ireland would require support from both the FAI and the GAA, particularly the latter who could be asked to come on board by making some of their larger provincial grounds available for matches.
Thirteen stadia were used to host this year’s World Cup in New Zealand, four of which – Palmerston, Invercargill, Whangarei and Nelson — had capacities of less than 20,000.
Speaking to Off the Ball on Newstalk last night, economist David McWilliams said that hosting the Rugby World Cup could provide the country with an important psychological jolt in difficult times.
“There’s no reason that we can’t put together a bid for a Rugby World Cup and that bid should be successful for a variety of reasons,” McWilliams said.
“Sometimes you’ve got to do big and bold things to change the psychology of a nation. A Rugby World Cup, clearly for a country of our size, would do that.
“For the psychology of a country, it’s very important to be seen to be moving forward. It’s very important to be seen to be doing things that you could’ve only dreamed of a couple of years ago.”
McWilliams also rejected the suggestion that the World Cup would put an excessive strain on the national economy, saying instead that it should be seen as “an investment in the national brand” with potentially lucrative returns.
Over 133,000 tourists travelled to New Zealand for this autumn’s World Cup.
“If you look at the numbers from New Zealand, they’ve actually made money on the Rugby World Cup,” McWilliams said.
“In the past, there has always been this perception that these things will be white elephants. The fact [is] that the New Zealanders have given us a balance sheet which suggests that they’ve made it pay its way.”
Why do we need Scotland and wales? There’s landsdowne, croker, rds, thomond, mud grave, ravenhill if gaa were on board there’s potentially pairc uí caoimh, semple, pearse, Fitzgerald stadiums to name a few!!
Would be great to see Thomond, Aviva, im sure croker would be involved, RDS, upgraded Ravenhill, not to mention all the GAA grounds (especially the upcoming 40,000 seater Casement park in Belfast)! Its long overdue as Ireland has achieved so much in the sporting world for such a small country!
More money for the Gaa for the use of Croke Park!! It would be great for Ireland though. The Games could be split between Thomond/Landsdowne road and Croke park (for the bigger ones). Cork badly need to update Musgrave Park or find a new stadium.
There ire 11 stadiums spread out between the four provinces which could be considered as a potential venue. Obviously the likes of Ravenhill and Musgrave need a serious overhaul. The likes of Morgan Athletic Grounds and Fitzgerald Stadium have undergone recent work and they look like top class venues. Just imagine a fly-half kicking a conversion with the backdrop of the Kerry mountains behind the goal. One of the finest stadium views in Europe imo.
Would be great to see. However, the politics of the IRB are hard to call. I could see them giving it to a country of greater population and potential to “grow” the sport in a larger market. After New Zealand 2011, the IRB will be looking for profit and the expansion of the game. Hope I’m wrong and that the bid gets put together.
Definitely a runner if they could get the gaa on board. They might be interested seeing as it’s a once off tournament, but the gaa are in competition with rugby and offering their grounds (even if they were making a profit for doing so), to host non-gaa games in regional stadia could be a sticking point. You never know though..I reckon public opinion would be very much for hosting it. It would be a huge boost for the country. Leo..bring it on!
I’m surprised!
Normally when it’s suggested Ireland bid to host a major international event, we ‘laugh’ at the idea. How could we possibly think we could manage it?? Not sure if its the inferiority complex some of us have?
Anyway, great to see such a positive reaction! I think it would be an incredible success if we were to host it. We have enough stadia, lets use them and show Ireland in a positive light.
Yes it will be a great achievement for Ireland. Ireland I think deserves such an event after all it is very much a country dedicated to Rugby . I think they won the 6 nations once or twice am I right. LETS BRING IT ON.
Leo should be locked up in the Gorman headcase , we are broke , maybe no one had told him yet! Plonker pipe dream will never happen , looking forward to thumbs down but hey wake up
With Japan hosting 2019, the IRB may want a more traditional host in 2023. While they do want the game to expand they can’t be seen to completely bypass the major rubgy countries. I would suggest that Argentina might be a major obstacle as by 2023 it will have been 12 years since the Southern Hemisphere would have hosted and Argentina is the only country in the Southern Hemisphere not to have hosted so far so they may have a case. Of the other potential bidders, I can’t see Russia being considered immediately after Japan but the US might also be a lucrative option for the IRB.
Obviously the GAA would have to come on board in any solo bid and that could have implications with regard to the timing of the event because Croke Park would be unavailable from around early August to mid-September. Previous World Cup have been held in October/November so if an opening game in mid-September in the Aviva was suggested and Croke Park not used until the end of that month you could get away with it. You’d also have to consider the effect it would have on the GAA’s club championship as well. A lot of GAA people might be unhappy at their grounds being used for a foreign sport to the detriment of their own tournaments.
But surely it’s worth doing some preliminary investigations on this to see about its feasability. It’s a long way away but at least it would give time for planning. Let’s try and have a “Yes We Can” attitude towards it. Do we know when the IRB are going to make a decision on this?
Maybe we are broke now, but it’s 12 years away, let’s plan for it (something we irish are not known for!) get some positive thinking going here! I think it’s a great plan, first thing varadkar has said that I agree with. BRING IT ON!
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Would be absolutely fantastic to see this happening
One would expect a considerable improvement on the New Zealand numbers for geographical reasons.
Why do we need Scotland and wales? There’s landsdowne, croker, rds, thomond, mud grave, ravenhill if gaa were on board there’s potentially pairc uí caoimh, semple, pearse, Fitzgerald stadiums to name a few!!
If we do this we will need the GAA stadia and Ravenhill, Musgrave and the RDS upgraded. Would be great to host.
Leo, get on the case rapid!!!!
Would be great to see Thomond, Aviva, im sure croker would be involved, RDS, upgraded Ravenhill, not to mention all the GAA grounds (especially the upcoming 40,000 seater Casement park in Belfast)! Its long overdue as Ireland has achieved so much in the sporting world for such a small country!
More money for the Gaa for the use of Croke Park!! It would be great for Ireland though. The Games could be split between Thomond/Landsdowne road and Croke park (for the bigger ones). Cork badly need to update Musgrave Park or find a new stadium.
Maybe a joint bid with Scotland or Wales to ensure enough stadia?
We have plenty of stadiums.
Yes, but are they large enough and suitable?
We have plenty for a rugby world cup Dave. Have a gander at Sean OAilpin’s link further down here. Gives a list with capacities etc.
Lansdowne
Thomond
Ravenhill
Musgrave
Croke Park
Fitzgerald Stadium (Killarney)
Morgan Athletic Grounds (Armagh)
Pearse Stadium (Galway)
Clones
Semple Stadium
Gaelic Grounds (Limerick)
There ire 11 stadiums spread out between the four provinces which could be considered as a potential venue. Obviously the likes of Ravenhill and Musgrave need a serious overhaul. The likes of Morgan Athletic Grounds and Fitzgerald Stadium have undergone recent work and they look like top class venues. Just imagine a fly-half kicking a conversion with the backdrop of the Kerry mountains behind the goal. One of the finest stadium views in Europe imo.
Would be great to see. However, the politics of the IRB are hard to call. I could see them giving it to a country of greater population and potential to “grow” the sport in a larger market. After New Zealand 2011, the IRB will be looking for profit and the expansion of the game. Hope I’m wrong and that the bid gets put together.
Don’t forget that the IRB are headquartered in Dublin. They might decide to have a flagship tournament in their own home :D
Definitely a runner if they could get the gaa on board. They might be interested seeing as it’s a once off tournament, but the gaa are in competition with rugby and offering their grounds (even if they were making a profit for doing so), to host non-gaa games in regional stadia could be a sticking point. You never know though..I reckon public opinion would be very much for hosting it. It would be a huge boost for the country. Leo..bring it on!
This would be a great lift for Irish people and something to look forward to. I really hope the powers that be put a strong case forward for it.
As for Stadia, we’ve more than enough to cater for a tournament like the Rugby World Cup
I’m surprised!
Normally when it’s suggested Ireland bid to host a major international event, we ‘laugh’ at the idea. How could we possibly think we could manage it?? Not sure if its the inferiority complex some of us have?
Anyway, great to see such a positive reaction! I think it would be an incredible success if we were to host it. We have enough stadia, lets use them and show Ireland in a positive light.
Yes Yes Yes Please!
Yes it will be a great achievement for Ireland. Ireland I think deserves such an event after all it is very much a country dedicated to Rugby . I think they won the 6 nations once or twice am I right. LETS BRING IT ON.
http://www.worldstadiums.com/europe/countries/ireland.shtml
Leo should be locked up in the Gorman headcase , we are broke , maybe no one had told him yet! Plonker pipe dream will never happen , looking forward to thumbs down but hey wake up
Donal, the event is 12 years away!
Jesus, let us have something to look forward to!
Donal,
“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.” Oscar Wilde
With Japan hosting 2019, the IRB may want a more traditional host in 2023. While they do want the game to expand they can’t be seen to completely bypass the major rubgy countries. I would suggest that Argentina might be a major obstacle as by 2023 it will have been 12 years since the Southern Hemisphere would have hosted and Argentina is the only country in the Southern Hemisphere not to have hosted so far so they may have a case. Of the other potential bidders, I can’t see Russia being considered immediately after Japan but the US might also be a lucrative option for the IRB.
Obviously the GAA would have to come on board in any solo bid and that could have implications with regard to the timing of the event because Croke Park would be unavailable from around early August to mid-September. Previous World Cup have been held in October/November so if an opening game in mid-September in the Aviva was suggested and Croke Park not used until the end of that month you could get away with it. You’d also have to consider the effect it would have on the GAA’s club championship as well. A lot of GAA people might be unhappy at their grounds being used for a foreign sport to the detriment of their own tournaments.
But surely it’s worth doing some preliminary investigations on this to see about its feasability. It’s a long way away but at least it would give time for planning. Let’s try and have a “Yes We Can” attitude towards it. Do we know when the IRB are going to make a decision on this?
Maybe we are broke now, but it’s 12 years away, let’s plan for it (something we irish are not known for!) get some positive thinking going here! I think it’s a great plan, first thing varadkar has said that I agree with. BRING IT ON!
Yeah it would be fantastic! Also a redeveloped Stadium for Connacht in Galway would be a great venue!
We have the bones of a great world cup stadia plan there. We just need the positive attitude (and a bit of cash) to do it!!!