Video - 'Some level of embarrassment for World Rugby' - BOD
The decision to award Rugby World Cup 2023 to France was always going to leave a lot of noses out of joint, not least the Irish bid organisers and participants.
Ireland legend Brian O'Driscoll described the decision to give the tournament to France as a major 'coup' for the country.
However he also noted that there was 'some level of embarrassment for World Rugby' regarding the process leading up to the vote given that the controversial report favoured the South African bid, which was ultimately well beaten by the French bid in the final round of voting.
O'Driscoll welcomed England's backing, but felt let down by the other two home nations.
"The feeling about Scotland is, they set their stall out early saying they were going to go with whoever was offering the most money.
"Then Wales, more recently, felt as if they had to sway with Gareth Davies [Welsh Rugby Union chairman], who sits on the Rugby World Cup board.
"Their decision was South Africa, so the likelihood to lose both of them is pretty disappointing.
"We got the support of England and we appreciate that, but England alone weren't ever going to get us across the line."
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.
Brian O’Driscoll feels the 2023 World Cup bid process may become a guinea pig for an improved method of choosing host countries pic.twitter.com/1dhx66CQVQ
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) November 15, 2017
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.”
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Hi Nick. Thanks for your +++ ongoing analysis. Re Vunivalu, He’s been benched recently and it will be interesting to see what Kiss does with him as we enter the backend of SRP. I’m still not sold.
Go to commentsIn the fine tradition of Irish rugby, Leinster cheat well and for some reason only known to whoever referees them, they are allowed to get away with it every single game. If teams have not got the physicality up front to stop them getting the ball, they will win every single game. They take out players beyond the ruck and often hold them on the ground. Those that are beyond the ruck and therefore offside, hover there to cause distraction but also to join the next ruck from the side thereby stopping the jackal. The lineout prior to the second try on Saturday. 3 Leinster players left the lineout before the ball was thrown and were driving the maul as soon as the player hit the ground and thereby getting that valuable momentum. They scrummage illegally, with the looshead turning in to stop the opposing tighthead from pushing straight and making it uncomfortable for the hooker. The tighthead takes a step and tries to get his opposite loosehead to drop the bind. Flankers often ‘move up’ and actually bind on the prop and not remain bound to the second row. It does cause chaos and is done quickly and efficiently so that referees are blinded by the illegal tactics. I am surprised opposition coaches when they meet referees before games don’t mention it. I am also surprised that they do not go to the referees group and ask them to look at the tactics used and referee them properly. If they are the better team and win, fair play but a lot of their momentum is gained illegally and therefore it is not a level playing field.
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