Wednesday 16 November 2016 12:12, UK
Ireland has formally launched its bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
The announcement of Ireland's entry into the 'candidate' phase of the selection process to determine the host for the tournament was made at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, with France and South Africa also in the running to follow on from 2019 hosts, Japan.
The bid has the backing of both Irish governments, through the provision of financial, infrastructural and services supports.
There are 12 potential venues on Ireland's 'long list' after the GAA made eight grounds available, although only between eight and 10 stadia will be required to stage the tournament.
Croke Park, Nowlan Park, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Fitzgerald Stadium, Pearse Stadium, McHale Park, Casement Park and Celtic Park are all possible venues along with Thomond Park, the RDS, Kingspan Stadium and the Aviva Stadium.
It is projected that the tournament would be worth more than €800m to the Irish economy, with more than 445,000 people expected to visit the country.
The selection process will run until November 2017 when World Rugby will decide on the successful candidate after a period of detailed technical evaluation of the candidates, with final proposals being submitted in June and a presentation to World Rugby scheduled for October.
Dick Spring, the bid's oversight board chairman, says Ireland is ready to stage a World Cup "like no other".
He said: "This is a wonderful opportunity for Ireland to host one of the world's biggest sporting events and we intend to ensure Ireland's proposition will be world class and compelling.
"A tournament that will capture the imagination of the world. A festival of rugby that will be full of Irish people's unique spirit and an event that will help rugby to reach new audiences throughout the world.
"Our entire bid team has been inspired to even greater heights by the Irish team's heroic victories in recent weeks over the All Blacks and Canada. We need this inspiration, for while the prize is indeed great, the competition is fierce and we will need to draw on every creative and determined fibre of our collective being if we are to succeed."
Enda Kenny said: "For many years our sporting ambassadors have travelled the world bringing colour, passion and friendship to sporting events everywhere. Now we want to bring the world to Ireland.
"We want the world to experience this colour, this passion, this friendship - here at home, with us. Ireland is waiting with open arms to welcome rugby fans from all over the world, to make Rugby World Cup 2023 the event of a lifetime, to deliver lifelong memories on and off the pitch.
"Ireland is ready for the world."
