France announced as hosts of Rugby World Cup 2023

The Rugby World Cup 2023 has been awarded to France.

World Rugby described the process as transparent, objective, professional, but there will be a lot of questions given that an independently commissioned report had suggested that South Africa should be awarded the competition.

France hosted the Rugby World Cup in 2007 and their bid suffered a blow when the French President Emmanuel Macron withdrew his support for the competition.

France received 24 votes to South Africa’s 15 in the final round of voting. In the first round, France received 18 votes to South Africa’s 13 and Ireland’s eight.

Following today’s vote, France will be hosting the 10th edition of the event 200 years after William Webb Ellis gave birth to the sport.

World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said: “Congratulations to France on being elected Rugby World Cup 2023 host. They presented a very strong and comprehensive bid, which clearly resonated with the Council today.

“We had three outstanding host candidates, who raised the bar and overwhelmingly demonstrated that they were all capable of hosting an exceptional Rugby World Cup. There was very little to choose between the candidates and this was reflected in the independently-audited evaluation report.

“I would like to pay tribute to Ireland and South Africa for their dedication throughout a rigorous, and transparent process and hope that they will bid again. We now look forward to working in partnership with France to deliver what I am sure will be a very successful Rugby World Cup in 2023.”

The announcement was live streamed in London by World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumount, who outlined the final votes: