Ireland’s Rugby World Cup Bid Just Received Another Significant Boost

As we all know, unfortunately the bookies usually get it right.

Usually that isn’t something that would bring a smile to our face, but for once it has and there’s a very good reason for it.

Ireland officially launched their Rugby World Cup 2023 bid today. 12 stadiums have been put forward as part of a €100 million bid.

Eight GAA grounds form the bulk of the list alongside famous rugby stadia including Ireland’s national ground, the Aviva Stadium (Dublin) along with Thomond Park (Limerick), Ravenhill (Belfast) and the RDS (Dublin).

Croke Park (Dublin), Pairc Ui Chaoimh (Cork), Casement Park (Belfast), Fitzgerald Stadium (Kerry), Pearse Stadium (Galway), McHale Park (Mayo), Nowlan Park (Kilkenny) and Celtic Park (Derry) are all also part of the Board’s proposal.

Sports Minister Shane Ross said:

“If we win this bid, we’ll be prepared for it. We’re absolutely determined,” he said. 

“Hosting the Rugby World Cup here would be a unique opportunity to showcase Ireland, not just to the hundreds of thousands of visitors who come for the tournament, but to a worldwide television audience,” he added.

Bid Chairman Dick Spring said he is confident of a successful bid and it appears the bookies believe him.

Ladbrokes have installed Ireland as 4/5 favourites to host the tournament, which could be worth up to €800 million to the Irish economy.

South Africa, at 9/4, are second favourites to host it for a second time after the epochal 1995 tournament and France, at 3/1, are the long shot.

Can Ireland do it? We certainly hope so.