Friday Round-Up

Ireland line up bid: According to reports emanating out of multiple outlets across the rugby media, Ireland is set to put forward a bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup. In what would be an All-Ireland bid for the competition, the Irish Rugby Football Union will join forces with the Northern Ireland Executive and the Irish Government, combining a range of stadia across the island on the whole. Despite never having officially hosted rugby’s showpiece event, World Cup games have taken place in multiple Irish cities, in the 1991 and 1999 editions of the competition, when Belfast, Dublin and Limerick were all used. With rugby grounds like the Aviva Stadium, the old Ravenhill and Thomond Park all renovated in recent years, acting as the primary grounds for matches, it is also hoped that Gaelic grounds like Croke Park can be utilised over the course of the tournament. Ireland’s bid for the World Cup is set to be unveiled later today in Armagh.

Boudjellal lines up successor: Toulon’s audacious and big-spending owner Mourad Boudjellal is in the process of recruiting the successor to Bernard Laporte’s head coach role, after the current Toulon boss confirmed he would be leaving his post at the end of the current season. According to reports within French rugby circles, Boudjellal has focused his attention on former Italy and Argentina international Diego Dominguez. Despite not having any form of coaching experience at the top level under his belt, Dominguez is seen as someone who knows the rigours of the French game inside out having played under Laporte at Stade Francais for eight season. If reports are to be believed, Dominguez was not Boudjellal’s first choice, with Oyonnax boss Chirstophe Ufos opting for Castres instead. Boudjellal has confirmed he will announce Laporte’s successor at Christmas.

Ryan Sheady