RWC 2023: State of play - Ireland
Excitement is mounting ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, which is just two short years away. After Japan’s surprisingly impressive and passionate performances in recent years, and with some gorgeous settings to provide a backdrop, it promises to be one of the most unique and spectacular editions of the tournament yet. Nonetheless, here at RugbyPass we’ve always got one eye on the future. Assuming the world isn’t destroyed in a nuclear apocalypse between now and then, the 10th RWC will be held in 2023. With three countries (Ireland, France and South Africa) still in contention to host the sport’s biggest showcase, we take a look at each of the bids in order to work out which Airbnb we should be pre-booking for 6 years’ time. We start with Ireland.
Ireland:
After the somewhat unexpected venture to Japan in 2019, rumour has it that World Rugby wants the 2023 edition to return to one of rugby’s “heartlands”, kind of like when you spent a summer volunteering in South America then immediately got a job in a bank in your hometown because adventure is all well and good but you missed your mum’s cooking. Rambling digressions aside, if these intentions are true it can only be a good thing for Ireland’s bid. Rugby has always been traditionally important in Ireland, and the fact that the national team are now firmly established as one of the world’s best means public support is at an all-time high. Ireland’s recent defeat of New Zealand, coupled with home field advantage would mean that the national side go into the tournament buoyed with confidence as an outside favourite of claiming the Webb Ellis Cup. This optimism and positivity on the part of the Irish fans would certainly go some way to ensuring healthy ticket sales in the lead up to the tournament.
However, regardless of how well tickets are sold Ireland is always going to be dwarfed in audience terms by the competing bids. With an overall population of around 6.6 million across both the Republic and Northern Ireland, the potential number of supporters is dwarfed by South Africa’s 55.91 million and is less than a 10th of France’s 66.9 million. Perhaps recognising this, Ireland’s bid hasn’t centred around its ability to pack people in, but has instead played to other strengths. The proposal’s main advantage is one of stability, with substantial government support and sensible business involvement meaning the endeavour would be virtually risk free from a commercial perspective.
As well as this, Ireland’s bid has combined the stability of hosting in an established rugby nation with the potential to expand into a new rugby market by promising significant involvement in North America. Other than brief mention of a “legacy programme”, exactly how this would work isn’t quite clear, but the fact that IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne is on record as saying that he sees Ireland’s bid as representing a three way partnership between themselves, World Rugby and USA Rugby clearly indicates American involvement would be substantial. World Rugby have made no secret of wishing to increase their presence in the States, and if Ireland hosting the World Cup could help them do that, it will be hard for them to say no.
In terms of infrastructure, Ireland has some fantastic stadiums that would undoubtedly produce an incredible atmosphere throughout the tournament. Kingspan, Ulster’s former Ravenhill would host games, as well as Munster’s iconic Thomond Park, the Aviva Stadium in Dublin and a host of other rugby and GAA grounds ahead of the finale at Croke Park. All of the proposed venues are guaranteed as part of the bid, meaning there will be no repeat of some of the issues currently affecting Japan’s preparation for the tournament where officials are scrambling to ensure stadiums are completed on time.
Ireland also have recent experience of hosting a major international tournament, with many seeing the Women’s World Cup as something of a test run for the more high profile event. Exactly how successful the tournament was is not overly clear yet, but officials will have learned some valuable lessons. With plans for the largest number of overseas supporters for the tournament, Ireland have guaranteed travelling fans some peace of mind by legally mandating that hotel prices won’t face an extortionate price hike. Ireland will be hoping that such moves will help assuage concerns that previous hosts France and South Africa are better prepared to deal with the logistical concerns and responsibilities of hosting.
Verdict:
Ireland will be seen by many as the safe choice, but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t host a fantastic tournament. They can’t break the bank the way France have promised to do, but World Rugby are still being promised a profitable and risk-free tournament which builds on established support whilst dangling the tantalising prospect of North American expansion. Current bookmakers odds put Ireland as favourites, but all this could change before the bids are finalised and presented on Monday.
Comments on RugbyPass
I’m sick to death of waiting 3 years for league players to become half decent. It cripples Australian rugby in the meantime. The Reds actually looked half competent without Vunivalu not starting last week. He’s just a liability of errors. Paisami is looking better than he has in previous years but I’d have Kerevi back in a flash. A kiwi wont tho …...
4 Go to commentsExcellent analysis Nick as we have come to expect. I was not really aware that NFL strategies have been adopted by rugby teams, especially in defence. One point I would make is that the Northhampton attacking player on the end of the chain in the video examples has not maintained the correct depth to be effective. In the footage shown the outside player is too flat to make the best of the opportunity his inside players have provided. In each case they have to reduce speed and turn their body backwards to secure the ball, losing all momentum and giving the impressive scrambling defence the chance to shut down the threat.
1 Go to commentsMorning, John. Do you think that it may be a good idea to rest both teams from the Madrid comp leading in to the Olympics
2 Go to comments« I am preparing myself for much more, something much bigger. I’m focussing on the next cycle, » You don’t say…
1 Go to commentsGeez plenty of time to come right before test season starts. Dont panic mr Mannering!!!!!
1 Go to commentsGreat read Nick. The Reds really have been great to watch this year, and the improvement of not only the players you mention, but the squad in general has been obvious. The Reds 10/12 play making axis is a nice counterpoint to the 10/15 partnership at the Brumbies and Rebels. If Schmidt was to pick say, Lolesio, Paisami and Wright / Kellaway, would this be too many play makers? I notice in a lot of those clips Tim Ryan playing across the field in support of Vunivalu. Is this a feature of Kiss’s structure?
4 Go to commentsSo sad, god rest him. Too young to be gone. RIP
2 Go to commentsRIP big man 🙏
2 Go to commentsThe GB coach. “Just because we don’t get together as much as other teams we don’t use that as an excuse for performances when we don’t hit the mark”. Why mention it at all then?
1 Go to commentsNo mention of the yellow card for Harlequins which really cost them.
3 Go to commentsThought you’d left us Nick. Good to have you back writing for us. So hunter ikitau works? I reckon wright kellaway as two of the back 3. Tim Ryan and Toole looking good for strike winger but I still want the power of korobeiti and figure our forwards still need him to help them out. Million dollar question is who plays 10? I’m thinking Noah for his kicking and combo with wright. Reckon the pair adds up to an attack and kellaway will help. Can you comment on Zac Lucas in Japan? How is he going?
4 Go to commentsMack Hansen, Ethan Roots, Taine Plumbtree, Louis Lynagh, Emmanuel Meafou? Which country do you want to pick your Barbarians from?
3 Go to commentsInstead of apologising, try to act like an adult, fcknut.
3 Go to commentsLooks like the Force twisted his leg…ahem arm
7 Go to commentsScotland should change their name to the Barbarians
3 Go to commentsThe game was already over leave the bloke alone ….from a Welsh fan 😀👍
3 Go to commentsShamefully the Toulouse players acted like footballers, falling down feigning injury at the slightest knock. About time refs penalised this play acting.
8 Go to commentsAnother non Scot for the anti Scot Townsend. Soon there will be no Scottish born and bred players in the National team.
3 Go to commentsGreat comeback to the playing field by Richie Mo’unga after the loss of his father. A great performance by Richie . I know him well and he is a great guy. On and off the field one of the greatest for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson would have loved him in his All Black’s side. A very missed player and person.
3 Go to commentsYeah nah he comes across as a funny bloke, but that stopped abruptly after the Nutcracker Prince debacle✋
3 Go to comments