Italy announce plans to bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup
Thursday 5 March 2015 16:32, UK
The Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) has announced it will bid for the 2023 World Cup.
Ireland confirmed last year they will be in the running for the tournament, with South Africa also revealing on Wednesday their intention to be involved in the bidding process.
Italy, who defeated Scotland 22-19 at Murrayfield in the Six Nations on Saturday, have never hosted a World Cup but will stage the U20 tournament this year, as it did in 2011.
The FIR will formalise its interest in hosting the tournament in May but it has already been guaranteed support by the country's governing sports body, the Italian Olympic Committee.
"I am sure that today Italian rugby has everything necessary to organise an unforgettable Rugby World Cup and that, over the next two years, the whole movement will work to make this dream come true,” said FIR president Alfredo Gavazzi.
The host country for 2023 will be announced in May 2017.
