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THREE UNIONS IN CONTENTION TO HOST RWC 2023The host selection process for Rugby World Cup 2023 gathered pace during 2016 with three unions progressing to the candidate phase.With media and public interest increasing all the time, France, Ireland and South Africa all demonstrated that they could meet the key criteria critical to a viable Rugby World Cup hosting bid by the 1 September, 2016 applicant phase deadline. Italy, who were in the applicant phase, formally withdrew from the process after the union confirmed it could not guarantee government support with its bid being linked to the withdrawn Rome 2024 Olympic bid.The applicant phase evaluation focused on key criteria such as finance, venues, tournament window and government support in line with World Rugby’s seven hosting objectives:•Venues and infrastructure commensurate with a top-tier major event•Comprehensive and enforceable public and private sector guarantees•A commercially successful event with a fully-funded, robust financial model•Operational excellence through an integrated and experienced delivery team•A vision that engages and inspires domestic and international audiences and contributes to the growth of rugby at all levels•An enabling environment of political and financial stability that respects the diversity of Rugby World Cup’s global stakeholders•An environment and climate suited to top-level sport in a geography that allows maximum fan mobilityEach application was reviewed in detail by a specialist technical review group and independently assessed to ensure a fair and consistent approach to the evaluation process in line with World Rugby’s commitment to implement a transparent, fair and professional process.The deadline for submissions is 1 June, 2017, with each candidate union presenting to the World Rugby Council in September 2017. A recommendation by the Rugby World Cup Board will be considered by the World Rugby Council at its interim meeting in November 2017 when the Rugby World Cup 2023 host union will be selected.World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said: “We are delighted by the strong level of serious interest from unions and governments, which is clearly reflected in three strong and impressive applications.“I would like to congratulate the unions for successfully progressing to candidate status and we welcome further dialogue with all parties as momentum builds towards the selection of the Rugby World Cup 2023 host.” The application phase was the second stage of a detailed three-phase host selection process following an initial education phase, designed to provide prospective bid unions and governments with all the information required to determine to proceed with a bid.YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 WORLD RUGBY 35RUGBY WORLD CUP 2023 | INSPIRE