IRFU may have to pay Welsh Rugby Union a chunk of 2023 World Cup profits

Ireland benefited from a share of the 1999 World Cup. In 2023, it could be pay-back time.

An article in the Western Mail about the Welsh Rugby Union being in line for a chunk of Ireland's potential 2023 World Cup profits has elicited a response from the IRFU. The Welsh outlet cites a 1998 deal wherein Wales hosted the 1999 World Cup but the unions of Ireland, England, Scotland and France also staged matches. In return, the unions got a share of the World Cup profits. Terms of the agreement include any of the unions giving a share of the net profits to the WRU from any World Cup it hosts. Newstalk contacted the IRFU about the article and received the following statement:

'As is widely known, ahead of the 1999 Rugby World Cup various agreements were entered into between each of the home unions and the FFR with the WRU around the costs and revenues of the 1999 tournament. 'The IRFU and the WRU will discuss the 1999 agreement, given the dramatic increase in the profile, scale and costs associated with the staging of a Rugby World Cup (which includes a substantial tournament fee of £120m). 'Both unions will continue to work together in a spirit of cooperation, to ensure the support of their mutual interests, but without affecting Ireland’s bid to host RWC 2023. 'World Rugby has already stipulated that it wishes unions bidding to host RWC 2023 to only include venues within its territory, and this is also in keeping with the objective of the IRFU and both governments.'

Put simply, there was no window to allow the WRU host any 2023 World Cup games and there is little chance the IRFU would give up anything in the region of 20%. Ireland are up against France and South Africa to stage the World Cup in seven years' time and a decision on the hosts will be made in November 2017.