France to stage 2023 World Cup as rugby chiefs deny ‘humiliation’

AFP: France won the vote to stage the 2023 World Cup on Wednesday as rugby union’s top administrator denied being “humiliated” after the sport’s global governing body had published a report recommending the tournament go to South Africa instead.

The World Rugby report, widely criticised by both France and Ireland, the third bidding country, was not binding on the remaining members of the World Rugby Council, who voted in London.

Wednesday’s decision, announced by World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont, means France will be staging a World Cup for the second time, having previously hosted the 2007 edition. The tournament also comes a year before Paris hosts the 2024 Olympic Games. In order to be chosen, the successful bidder needed a simple majority of 20 out of the 39 remaining votes - France, Ireland and South Africa were barred from participating in the ballot.The first round finished with France on 18 votes, 1995 hosts South Africa on 13 and Ireland, who’ve yet to be the main hosts of a World Cup, eight.

With Ireland dropping out, France beat South Africa by 24 votes to 15 in the second round.

“We’ve been fortunate to have three great bids,” said Beaumont after announcing Wednesday’s decision.

“Certainly delighted for France. It will be a really exciting tournament,” the former England captain added.

Meanwhile, Beaumont denied World Rugby had been “humiliated” by the rejection of the report’s recommendation.

“Just because it went to France doesn’t mean there is humiliation,” he said. “I was involved in a bid (for 2007) with England that got three votes many years ago - two of them were from England - so I can understand the disappointment.”

Beaumont, the captain of the 1980 British and Irish Lions beaten in a Test series in South Africa, added: “Like a game of rugby, some you win, some you lose.” 

Last month, World Rugby published an evaluation report which said South Africa should be chosen given it had an overall rating of 78.97, compared with 75.88 for France and 72.25 for Ireland, across a range of criteria.