Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 host country candidates press conference - Royal Garden Hotel, London, Britain - September 25, 2017 (L-R) Shane Ross, Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport, David Sterling, Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, Philip Browne Chief Executive IRFU, Irish politician Leo Varadkar, Dick Spring, Chairman, Ireland 2023 Oversight Board, Brian O'Driscoll, Ireland's Bid Ambassador and Kieran McLoughlin, Worldwide President and CEO of The Ireland Funds pose for a photograph Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
LONDON (Reuters) - Ireland, France and South Africa all promised millions in the bank, great stadiums and "the best tournament ever" before figuratively plucking on the emotional heartstrings as they sought to earn the right to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
The Irish, who have never been the main host, are the bookmaker's favourite, ahead of South Africa, which hosted a tournament against an extraordinary emotional, social and political backdrop in 1995, with 2007 hosts France the outsider ahead of Monday's presentations in London.
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