Hundreds turn out as Ireland officially launches 2023 Rugby World Cup bid

REPRO FREE***PRESS RELEASE NO REPRODUCTION FEE*** IRFU Rugby World Cup 2023 Bid Submission, Dublin 1/6/2017 Ireland's team bidding to host Rugby World Cup 2023 (RWC) has submitted its formal bid document (Candidature File), promising a "tournament like no other, full of Irish spirit, that will capture the imagination of the world and help to drive Rugby's global momentum.” The Candidature File is a massively detailed document in which the Irish bid team chronicles Ireland's outstanding attributes as a host for the Rugby World Cup in 2023, including all the key Government commitments required by World Rugby. The 990-page document sets out the plans that will deliver unprecedented commercial success and help unlock and engage new audiences for Rugby, including through the infrastructure of the worldwide Irish Diaspora. The Candidature File, was submitted to World Rugby headquarters by a delegation led by 'BID KID' Alex Place*, from Co. Antrim. The 11 year old was one of 120 children, carrying flags to represent every Rugby playing nation of the world, who joined with Dick Spring, Chairman of Ireland's RWC 2023 Bid Oversight Board, Stephen Hilditch, President, Irish Rugby Football Union, Shane Ross TD, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Brian O'Driscoll, Bid Ambassador, Joe Schmidt Ireland Head Coach as well as members of all the Irish international Rugby Teams to hand deliver the landmark document. Pictured is Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland 2023 Ambassador) and Alex Place (IRFU competition winner) Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/James Crombie

IRELAND Rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll led an open-top bus, musicians and flag-bearers from Aviva Stadium to World Rugby’s HQ in Dublin’s Pembroke Street as Ireland submitted its formal bid to host the 2023 World Cup.

Bid Ambassador O’Driscoll was joined by Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt as he handed in the 990-page document, which outlines Ireland’s plan to run a “tournament like no other”.

Ireland face competition from France and South Africa – who have submitted their own bids. South Africa last hosted the Rugby World Cup in 1995.

France have never hosted their own Rugby World Cup, but did co-host the competition in 1991 alongside England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland.

"We're quietly confident but at the same time realistic that the competition is fierce in France and South Africa, two countries who've hosted it already and who have experience," Brian O’Driscoll told RTÉ at the launch.

Bid Ambassador Brian O'Driscoll was joined by Dick Spring to submit the bid. Picture: Inpho

"The welcome that you're guaranteed in this country... you might not be guaranteed any sort of weather, but one thing that is certain is the welcome that you'll get in the 32 counties.”

"We saw back in 2003 in the Special Olympics, how the country embraced that. This is a considerably bigger competition, probably the biggest the country is ever likely to host.

"You can just envisage towns and villages embracing a second team as their own. I know there'd be a carnival atmosphere and we would put on a phenomenal show."

Over 100 children from different schools and rugby clubs around the country joined O’Driscoll to submit the bid.

They were joined by Dick Spring, Chairman of Ireland's Bid Oversight Board and Philip Browne, CEO of the IRFU.