The Irish Rugby Football Union and Irish government have announced that they will be bidding to host the 2023 Rugby Union World Cup.
The sport's governing body in Ireland wants to host matches in Northern Ireland and the Republic in a bid to attract 350,000 visitors during the tournament.
Irish prime minister Enda Kenny said: "I am delighted to formally announce the Government's support, in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Executive, to formally back the IRFU's bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
"Ireland will put together a winning bid that will be impossible to resist. We have the fans, the stadiums, and the accessibility to make it a World Cup to remember. Irish people love our sport. We are passionate about sport and we celebrate it.
"We want to share the Irish sporting experience with the world by inviting the world to Ireland. I'm absolutely confident that Ireland will host the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The Government will provide its full support to make it happen."
The United States, Argentina and Italy have also expressed an interest in hosting the tournament.
Sian Cowper
