France unexpectedly named 2023 Rugby World Cup host
The decision to have France host the 2023 Rugby World Cup comes as a bitter disappointment for South Africa, which, along with Ireland, was considered the front-runner.
France will host the 2023 Rugby World Cup, perhaps a bit unexpectedly.
Ireland was the leading bid to host the tournament until an official evaluation report favoured South Africa among the three bidders.
The South African infrastructure legacy from the 2010 FIFA World Cup was a significant factor in pushing it into the top three; however, France’s financial vision for the tournament and world rugby turned out to be the strongest.
Al Jazeera’s Lee Wellings reports from London, England.
Published On 16 Nov 2017