Irish rugby today announced that it was entering the "Candidate" phase of the selection process to decide the host of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
As part of the announcement, Nowlan Park, Casement Park and Páirc Uí Chaoimh have all been touted as venues for games to be held as well as traditional stadiums like Croke Park, Lansdowne Road and Munster rugby stronghold, Thomond Park.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for Ireland to host one of the world's biggest sporting events and we intend to ensure Ireland's proposition will be world class and compelling," Chairman of Ireland's RWC 2023 Bid Oversight Board Dick Spring said in a statement today.
"We believe Ireland is ready to stage a Rugby World Cup like no other. A tournament that will capture the imagination of the world. A festival of rugby that will be full of Irish people's unique spirit and an event that will help rugby to reach new audiences throughout the world.
"Our entire bid team has been inspired to even greater heights by the Irish team's heroic victories in recent weeks over the All Blacks and Canada. We need this inspiration, for while the prize is indeed great, the competition is fierce and we will need to draw on every creative and determined fibre of our collective being if we are to succeed."
As part of the announcement, Irish Rugby have also released a short video, narrated by Liam Neeson, to say that Ireland are "ready for the world".
Ready For The World. Liam Neeson narrates Ireland's bid to host Rugby World Cup 2023 #Ireland2023 pic.twitter.com/zcZGBqsnO0
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) November 15, 2016
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