No 2023 World Cup for USA

Contrary to widely held expectations, USA Rugby has decided not to bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup tournament, leaving four potential hosts - Ireland, France, South Africa and Italy - to compete for the honour. In an official press release, World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “Although USA Rugby ultimately decided not to proceed with a formal bid, it was very encouraging that they originally had expressed an interest in hosting rugby’s flagship tournament. In the end, they decided to focus instead on other upcoming projects, not least the hosting of Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018…