Irish Rugby hopes to strengthen its bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup by releasing a new video that features some of the venues that would be used to stage matches.
The video features four Irish sports stars taking in some of the largest stadiums in the country – all of which feature in Ireland’s bid for the showpiece rugby union national team tournament.
Former national rugby team captain Brian O’Driscoll introduces the Aviva Stadium, the oldest international rugby venue in the world, which has a capacity of 51,000. Gaelic footballer Bernard Brogan speaks about Irish sport’s most sacred venue, Croke Park, which has a capacity of 82,300, making it the third largest stadium in Europe. Croke Park would host the 2023 final if Ireland’s bid is successful.
View Ireland’s 2023 Rugby World Cup video here
Philip Matthews, a former rugby union international and current president of the National College of Ireland, takes in Ravenhill in Belfast, the home of Ulster rugby club. Paul O’Connell, Ireland’s third most-capped player, gives an overview of Thomond Park, home of rugby teams Munster and Shannon.
The provisional list of Ireland’s possible venues also includes the RDS Arena, the home ground of Leinster, and eight GAA grounds, with two of these from each province. Some sites, such as Páirc Uí Chaoimh and Casement Park, are currently undergoing renovations or expansions.
Ireland faces competition from France and South Africa to secure the World Cup, with the World Rugby global governing body set to select the host country at a meeting in November.
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