Ireland has had talks with the English, Welsh and Scottish unions about a joint bid for the 2031 World Cup.
World Rugby yesterday announced the official opening of the bidding process for the 2027 and 2013 men’s World Cups, as well as the 2025 and 2029 women’s World Cups.
The game’s governing body stated that “multi-nation bids are being welcomed.”
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The IRFU bid to host the 2023 World Cup in Ireland but lost to France with the Welsh and Scottish unions among those to vote against Ireland.
The English Rugby Football Union said it is considering a joint bid to host the 2031 Rugby World Cup along with Ireland, Wales, and Scotland.
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In a statement it said “The four rugby unions of the UK and Ireland are considering the merits of a joint bid to host the 2031 Rugby World Cup,” and “Collective discussions with government partners across the UK and Ireland have not yet taken place and a decision on whether to bid has not yet been made.”
However, the IRFU has today stated that what were preliminary discussions are not being pushed forward at this time.
“The IRFU wish to clarify that while some preliminary, exploratory discussions took place last autumn with the English, Scottish, and Welsh Unions about a possible joint bid to host Rugby World Cup 2031, the matter is not being progressed at this point in time,”
Australia are seen as front runners for the 2027 tournament.
