Where Ireland's Rugby World Cup bid fell behind

Evaluation report backs South Africa ahead of final vote, as lack of experience and venue concerns hurt Ireland's scores

The Irish bid team making their Rugby World Cup 2023 presentation in London. Pic: Getty

Ireland’s bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023 has suffered a blow after the board of Rugby World Cup unanimously recommended that South Africa be chosen when a final vote is taken on November 15.

The recommendation was made after the board considered a report which evaluated the three bids from South Africa, Ireland and France.

The report looked at a number of criteria, including venues and infrastructure, as well as ...