Bono and Bob add ‘ruck and roll’ to Rugby World Cup bid
BONO and Bob Geldof have joined Liam Neeson in throwing their weight behind Ireland’s bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Ireland is among three bidders to host the tournament and will have to battle it out with South Africa and France.
Each country will have 30 minutes to make a formal pitch in London on September 25. But our chances are surely increased by adding star power to the bid.
Ireland’s bid will be spearheaded by Leo Varadkar and Sports Minister Shane Ross with help from Brian O’Driscoll among others.
‘In addition, the IRFU has revealed an additional boost for the presentation with news that it will contain video support pieces from U2 and a diaspora-related piece involving Bob Geldof’s moving rendition of the WB Yeats’ poem The Lake Isle Of Innisfree,’ an IRFU statement released last night said.
Kevin Potts, IRFU chief operating officer and 2023 bid director, said: ‘The quality of presenters assembled by Ireland reflects the enormous strength and depth of our bid and the level of support and co-operation the bid has enjoyed throughout, from government, business and communities.
‘Our presentation will reflect the vision and strong commercial credentials of Ireland’s proposition but also, critically, the creativity of the Irish people, which is what will make Ireland 2023 a tournament like no other.
‘This creative element will involve inputs from Bob Geldof, U2 and Liam Neeson, all of whom have supported our bid.
‘The diaspora are a very important element of our proposition.’
The final decision will be announced by World Rugby on November 15.
Geldof will read Yeats’ poem