RWC 2023 Set to be First in Europe Without Games in Wales

Rugby World Cup 2023 is set to be first tournament in Europe without games being played in Wales. Since the inaugural tournament in 1987 Europe has hosted every second event. Played in 1991, 1999, 2007 and 2015 all four have included matches in Wales.

Rugby World Cup 2023’s official host remains unconfirmed. In the race are France, Ireland and South Africa. Problems surrounding South Africa’s governmental support, or the lack there of, have plagued the union’s bid. It has been this rather than prior hosting which has caused damage to the possibility.

Both France and Ireland are also prior hosts. France hosted 42 of the 48 matches in 2007 and was also allocated matches in 1991 and 1999. Ireland hosted matches in the first two occasions in which the World Cup was played in Europe.

Wales 1999 saw a deal struck between the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU). It entitled Wales to a multi-million pound cash windfall from Rugby World Cups in England, France, Ireland and Scotland. This saw all four hosting matches and sharing profits with Wales. In addition Wales went on tho host matches in 2007 and 2015.

France’s 2023 bid is exclusively French and now, confirmation has come through that Ireland 2023 would be an island-only tournament. World Rugby has acted to ensure there will be no further controversies. A result of the actions taken has seen World Rugby state publicly that they welcome the WRU’s decision to anull the historical agreement with the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) regarding the hosting of Rugby World Cup 1999.

The governing body went on to state its desire to “ensure and protect the integrity of the host selection process, which continues to be conducted in line with the highest standards of transparency, fairness and professionalism.”

A decision on where Rugby World Cup 2023 will be staged is to be made in November. World Rugby has received the three bids. All three remain contenders but speculation of Wales landing matches have now ended. South Africa is the only non-European bidder.