Ireland's overall financial bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup "closely matched South Africa's commercial offer and tournament fee," according to Gavin Cummiskey of the IRISH TIMES. These figures are contained in the redacted section of World Rugby's technical review released last Tuesday. The impact of the report, which recommends South Africa to host the tournament, has been "heavily criticised" by the French and Irish delegations ahead of the Nov. 15 World Rugby Council vote. Before the "damning assessment of Irish stadiums and technological failings," the Irish Rugby Football Union "anticipated at least 16 of the necessary 20 votes required to secure the tournament." Ireland 2023 Tournament Dir Kevin Potts said, "There were surprises in the report. Take Paírc Uí Chaoimh. It has been built and active since August. We sent World Rugby footage of the stadium yet commentary in the report inferred it was not yet built and required significant upgrade." The problem now for the French and Irish bids "is perception." New Zealand Rugby CEO Steve Tew already publicly stated NZR "will support South Africa's bid because of the report" (IRISH TIMES, 11/6).
