IRFU to meet Varadkar over plans

The IRFU are to meet with Leo Varadkar, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, early next week to lay out plans for hosting the 2023 Rugby World Cup in Ireland.

The GAA have already lent their support to a bid, as the association’s stadiums would be essential for the tournament to be held on this island.

“The IRFU has done the feasibility study with some funding from my department and also the department in Northern Ireland,” said Varadkar yesterday. “They are due to brief me next week on the pros and cons of it.”

Varadkar is due to meet Arlene Foster, the Northern Ireland assembly Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, next week to discuss a joint tourism event, and hosting the World Cup will also be discussed.

New Zealand, with a population of less than 4.5 million, successfully hosted the tournament in 2011, prompting the union to begin investigations into bringing the final to Dublin in 10 years’ time.

IRFU chief executive Philip Browne has already stated that government support is essential to a successful bid, while the GAA have indicated any necessary refurbishment of their grounds must be assisted by government finances.

“I am very enthusiastic about it,” Varadkar continued. “I would really love to have it in Ireland.

“I think we can do it, because if New Zealand can do it, we can do it better. It may involve some sort of investment from the government and I would have to go to my colleagues about that but certainly if the IRFU want to make a bid they will have the support of the government.

“I just don’t know exactly what that is.”

The organisers of the New Zealand World Cup announced a loss of NZ$31.3 million (€19.8 million), which was NZ$8 million (€5 million) less than initially forecast.

The 2015 World Cup takes place in England with several matches in Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. Japan will host the 2019 tournament, with some games in Hong Kong and Singapore.

England coach Stuart Lancaster has included Leicester Tigers and Lions flanker Tom Croft in a 36-man training squad preparing to face Italy on Sunday at Twickenham. Croft recently returned from a neck injury.