Learning from the blow of a third-place finish

We are a small nation - and big sport is getting bigger all the time

Ireland 2023 bid team 'has little to lose by tackling hard'. Pic: Getty

The talk afterwards was of this being a setback but not an insurmountable one. Nonetheless,the World Rugby evaluation which placed Ireland third of the three bidding nations to hostthe Rugby World Cup in 2023 is a blow to national pride and to the confidence which had been expressed throughout the bid process.

It is only a recommendation and the final decision will be taken at a meeting of the World Rugby Council on ...