Ireland unveil 2023 bid

Ireland's official bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup has been unveiled.

In total 12 stadiums have been included on the long list - eight of those are owned by the GAA - with this set to be reduced to eight or ten if Ireland wins the rights to host the tournament in seven years time.

Semple Stadium in Tipperary and the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick did not make the final list but Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney and Derry's Celtic Park have been included.

As expected Casement Park in Antrim has been included despite the ongoing issues with the redevelopment plans, although officials are hoping to have the venue ready by 2020.

Nowlan Park (Kilkenny), Pairc Ui Chaoimh (Cork), Pearse Stadium (Galway) and McHale Park (Mayo) have also been put forward as venues.

The Aviva Stadium, RDS Arena, Kingspan Stadium and Thomond Park will spearhead the bid, while Croke Park has been nominated as the venue for the final should Ireland's bid be successful.

Speaking at the launch of Ireland's entry into the 'Candidate Phase', Dick Spring, chairman of the 2023 bid oversight board, 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.

"We believe Ireland is ready to stage a Rugby World Cup like no other. 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."

Taoiseach Enda Kenny added: "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."

The official selections process will run from November 2016 until November 2017 with Ireland facing stiff competition from France and South Africa.

During that period a detailed technical evaluation of the candidates will take place, with final proposals being submitted in June and a presentation to World Rugby scheduled for October.

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