The draw for the 2015 Rugby World Cup takes place later today at the Tate Modern Art Gallery in London.  Ireland are in the second seeding group and the danger team for most countries to avoid will be Wales.
Last year’s World Cup Semi Finalists and reigning Grand Slam Champions have endured a miserable time since and defeat to Australia on Saturday saw them dip into the third rank of countries in today’s draw.
Being grouped alongside new Zealand and Wales would present a challenge for the Irish team but they may also draw comfort from reports over the weekend that a bid to host the 2023 World Cup is looking more likely.
Paraic Duffy, Director general of the GAA has indicated that a motion will be put to the next Congress enabling a feasibility study to be undertaken around allowing the use of GAA grounds such as Croke park, Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney, Paird Uí Caoimh in Cork and others.
A solo bid would be impossible without the use of GAA grounds but the economic benefit and the funding of upgrading facilities makes it a compelling prospect, particularly with the tournament taking place in October when inter county Championships have been concluded and before the provincial Club Finals have reached their final stages.
The Association earned an estimated €36 million from allowing the use of Croke Park to rugby and soccer between 2007 and 2010 during the development of the Aviva Stadium.
By 2023 Both Pairc Uí Caoimh and Casement Park in Belfast are expected to have capacities of more than 40,000 which is twice as big as either Thomond Park or the RDS which would be the second tier of stadia for rugby.
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