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Brian O'Driscoll on Ireland 2023 dreams: "It'll be a World Cup like no other"

On Monday, Ireland delivered their bid presentation for the 2023 Rugby World Cup and Brian O'Dris...
Newstalk
Newstalk

20.19 29 Sep 2017


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Brian O'Driscoll on Ir...

Brian O'Driscoll on Ireland 2023 dreams: "It'll be a World Cup like no other"

Newstalk
Newstalk

20.19 29 Sep 2017


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On Monday, Ireland delivered their bid presentation for the 2023 Rugby World Cup and Brian O'Driscoll was in situ as part of the Irish team.

On Friday night, he spoke to Ger about the experience and the dream of bringing the tournament to these shores in six years time. 

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Brian O'Driscoll on Ireland 2023 dreams: "It'll be a World Cup like no other"

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He explained that no stone has been left unturned in the efforts to secure the World Cup.

"The one thing we can say, having delivered on Monday is that we have thrown the kitchen sink at it. We have done everything we possibly can, both governments, the IRFU... Philip Browne was absolutely exceptional on Monday," he said. 

Brian O'Driscoll at the Rugby World Cup Bid Presentation, Royal Garden Hotel, South Kensington, London 25/9/2017 ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

"With regard to the fastidiousness of the detail in which we've gone to, all the best experts have been drafted in, they haven't penny pinched, so we've given it as good a shot as we can. So if we aren't picked for whatever reason, you can hold your hands up. We'll be devastated but we have thrown everything at it."

Pictured (L-R) Shane Ross TD (Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport), David Sterling, Philip Browne (Chief Executive IRFU), An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Dick Spring (Ireland 2023 Bid Chairman), Brian O'Driscoll and Kieran McLoughlin (Worldwide President and CEO of the Ireland Funds) ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

France and South Africa provide the opposition ahead of November 15th's final announcement by World Rugby as to where the tournament will be held.

But focusing on the Irish bid, its uniqueness is something that can be harnessed.

"There are lots of components to any bid process about filling stadia, growing the game, about the memories that you'll be able to create, the proximity of team bases to stadia and that's one of our strengths. Our stadia are right in the towns and city centres," Brian said, before continuing.

"I feel our overall offering is incredibly competitive and the overall financial package only World Rugby will truly know that. It is very important because 90% of what they do over the course of the four years comes from the Rugby World Cup, so yes they can't get it wrong.

"But they won't get it wrong with Ireland. We will totally embrace this and it'll be a World Cup like no other. We won't be trying to imitate anything. We'll be doing our own thing."   


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