Heart may say Ireland but the head screams France
IRELAND, South Africa or France? Which country will host the 2023 World Cup?
This Monday in London is when all three make their formal presentations to World Rugby who will then argue, bicker, plot and horsetrade for the 39 votes on offer before the official announcement on November 15. All three are admirable bids but must ruthlessly play their strongest card.
The sentimental, emotional choice, has to be Ireland the only one of the three yet to host the World Cup, although the Irish negotiated slices of the 1991 and 1999 tournaments. An Ireland World Cup would be wonderfully self-contained, accessible and rugby’s greatest ever party. The heart says Ireland.
But what about South Africa? The rainbow nation and Nelson Mandela gifted rugby the story and worldwide profile it craved in 1995, and also a glimpse into the future with their brilliant facilities, stadia and slick organisation. Rugby arrived in the 21st century five years early at RWC1995. Rugby ‘owes’ South Africa and perhaps now it’s time for rugby to repay its debt. South African rugby is struggling in all sorts of ways and would benefit hugely from a second World Cup. The conscience says South Africa.
The French, meanwhile, staged a marvellous friendly, feel good World Cup in 2007 but it’s tempting to argue that Ireland and South Africa have a prior claim for that reason alone. But wait. The French World Cup, with nearly 2.3million fans attending in person, was a stunning financial success and they have already upped the ante by guaranteeing a minimum of £150m profit for World Rugby. In all likelihood it will be way more.
Bear this in mind, also. Argentina are standing by to launch a government-backed bid for 2027 and if rugby is serious in its mission to become a world game that 2027 tournament must go to South America. That could, however, result in decreased profits so there is a strong need for the 2023 event to be the most commercially lucrative so far. The head says France. Let battle commence.