The Welsh Rugby Union Have Just Done The IRFU A Massive RWC 2023 Favour

The Welsh Rugby Union have done the IRFU a massive favour by waving their right to a cut of the proceeds for the 2023 Rugby World Cup should Ireland win the right to host it.

Ireland have launched a bid to host the 2023 rugby showpiece, and are currently the frontrunners ahead of both France and South Africa. If successful they would have to pay the Welsh Rugby Union at least 20% of the net financial benefits generated.

That agreement was brokered by former WRU chairman Glanmor Griffiths and enabled Wales to be the main host of the 1999 tournament. In return for backing from the French, English, Irish and Scottish rugby unions, Wales ensured those other nations, including Ireland, hosted some of the games and shared in profits generated.

As part of the package, Wales then benefited financially from the 2007 tournament in France once again in 2015 when it was hosted by England, by staging games at the then Millennium Stadium.

The 1998 agreement between Wales and Ireland has a clause stipulating that if the Irish hosted the tournament, they would pay that fee to the WRU. The Irish themselves are understood to have benefited by around £4m from the deal with the WRU.

WRU chairman Gareth Davies however, has now revealed his organisation has waived rights to receiving a pay-off from the Irish.

“The general consensus from the board was that, whilst the WRU had claim to compensation as part of any bid from the IRFU, the spirit of the original agreement has already been fulfilled.” Davies said.

“The best thing for the selection process is for us to be able to put an end to any speculation about this historical agreement and we are pleased to do so.”

“We look forward to playing our part in maintaining the highest standards of fairness, transparency and professionalism in the RWC 2023 host selection process.”

Fair play lads.