Sporting Legends get behind Ireland’s venues for the 2023 World Cup bid.

Limerick’s Paul O’Connell, Brian O’Driscoll, Bernard Brogan and Phillip Matthews feature in stadium showcase for Ireland’s 2023 World Cup Bid.

The video features O’Connell and Co previewing their memories of Thomond Park, Croke Park, Landsdowne Road and Ravenhill.

https://www.facebook.com/irishrugby/videos/1381576148566975/

It is not of course the first promotional video for the competition with Liam Neeson also getting behind the bid last year:

Liam Neeson promotes Ireland as host for Rugby World Cup 2023

A World Rugby Technical Review Group has been in the country assessing the Irish bid over the last few days.

The group were welcomed to Croke Park on Tuesday and given all encompassing overview of Ireland’s all island bid.

A reception with President Michael D. Higgins followed at Aras an Uachtarain before match and venue strategies were presented, followed by a full tour of GAA Headquarters.

Wednesday saw the group visit the the oldest international rugby venue in the world and the home of Irish rugby at the Aviva Stadium, Lansdowne Road.

The bid for the 2023 event is widely seen as a straight shootout between Ireland and France. Italy have pulled out of the running while South Africa’s chances seem dead in the water following a serious of high profile arguments between the government and the South African Ruby Union.

France also hosted the tournament in 2007, something that Irish fans have been trying to forget ever since. It was an ill-fated campaign with underperforming Irish team struggling to beat Georgia and losing to Argentina and France.

A tournament that promised so much ended up with a pool stage exit and humiliation for Eddie O’Sullivan’s charges.

It means that France having hosted the tournament recently should give Ireland an edge in the bidding process seeing as we have never held the competition.

What a huge boost for the country if we were to secure the bid in 2023. It would also be great for Limerick and the Mid West Region.