IRFU: Successful Women's World Cup pivotal to 2023 bid

The Irish Rugby Football Union have insisted that hosting a successful Women's Rugby World Cup later this year will be pivotal to Ireland's bid for the 2023 tournament.

World Rugby's Technical Review Group were in Dublin this week to inspect some of our stadia, see our proposals for the 2023 event and meet dignitaries such as Taoiseach Enda Kenny and President Michael D. Higgins.

Speaking to Newstalk.com after yesterday's press conference, Ireland's 2023 Rugby World Cup Oversight Board Bid Director Kevin Potts said: "We've put a lot of work in the Women's World Cup. We think it's going to be the best Women's World Cup ever so it provides us with a real opportunity just as the decisions are being made about this tournament [2023] in terms of how well Ireland can host teams from around the world.

"So it's hugely important and we're determined to have afantastic tournament which I believe we will."

Clare McLaughlin, Niamh Briggs, Nora Stapleton and Alison Miller. Image: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

IRFU CEO Philip Browne added: "It's really important we put on a top class show in terms of the Women's World Cup in August and I'm very confident that will be the case."

The tournament is due to be played in Ireland from the 9th - 26th August. Ireland have been drawn in the same pool as Australia, France and Japan.

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