USA to Bid to Host Rugby 7’s World Cup

Women’s game in Ireland developing rapidly
More work needed on men’s side
US interest to accelerate global game
USA Rugby will bid to host the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens after the International Rugby Board confirmed this week that the tournament would be integrated into the Olympic Games cycle.
Board Director Will Chang, a part owner of the San Francisco Giants baseball team, will lead the U.S. bid and visit Moscow this month to study the Russian capital’s hosting of the 2013 edition, in which the Irish Women’s team is competing.
“Hosting this tournament will support our goals of developing the game and further its popularity in the United States,” Chang said in a statement on Thursday. “We are looking forward to hearing more about the bid process and will do everything we can to ensure the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens will take place on United States soil.”
The Moscow event is the first edition of the four-yearly championship since sevens was added to the Olympic program for the 2016 Rio games.
The interest of the USA will accelerate the development of sevens and Ireland is well placed to benefit in the Women’s game where the national team has achieved remarkable success despite only being brought into being in a very short time frame.
It is likely that the group of players and those who follow will be the first field sports team to represent Ireland at an Olympic Games.
The Men’s game has been slower to gain the full backing of rugby authorities in Ireland but it is already a major attraction around the world and the interest of the USA in hosting major tournaments should make the development here an imperative over the next two years.

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