Ireland hope World Cup bid gets the nod

IRELAND’S hopes of securing a mammoth £1.3bn economic boost could receive a shot in the arm today when chiefs discover if their 2023 World Cup bid has been formally endorsed.

World Rugby will announce today the results of a series of detailed assessments by an independent sports consultancy, and if Ireland are substantially favoured by the outcome, it is likely that a subsequent November 15 vote will go their way.

South Africa and France are Ireland’s two rivals and, although the race could be narrowed down to two, it may be so close that no clear winner emerges today.

The IRFU have spent £3.5m on their bid and have called on the services of a variety of personalities from Bob Geldof and Liam Neeson to Brian O’Driscoll.

However, money will be the decisive factor and heavyweights South Africa and France have flexed their financial muscles, despite the fact that both countries have already hosted the event over the last 22 years.

Ireland are banking on the novelty factor and a reach to 70 million ex-pats based in the US and Canada, as well as tapping new sponsorship markets there.

They have engaged the GAA at Croke Park to help their bid as they do not have enough stadia of their own capable of hosting the tournament.

Ireland’s bid has received strong government support, especially from An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, — unlike in France and South Africa. However, they have offered just the minimum bid guarantee of £106m, with France (£132m) and South Africa (£141m) confident money will talk loudest.