The Irish Rugby Football Union has officially declared that it intends to submit a bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup in Ireland.
IRFU chief executive Philip Browne believes that having the cooperation between Northern Ireland and the Republic could give the bid the edge in the selection process.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Six One, Browne said that Ireland possesses the necessary infrastructure to host the tournament, and that the GAA has given positive feedback regarding the proposition.
"The technical bid has to tick all of the boxes for Rugby World Cup," said Browne.
"But on top of that what makes the difference up is the pointed difference between our bid and any other bid, is the narrative we can weave around the bid itself, to energise the entire island and to have the cooperation between North and South.
"I think that's probably the real narrative behind this, it's a unifying force. Sport bringing unity together."
