France will host the 2023 Rugby World Cup after the country surprisingly beat rival bids from South Africa and Ireland in a secret World Rugby council ballot on Wednesday.
South Africa was expected to win the nomination after an independent evaluation report by World Rugby, the sport’s international governing body, last month identified the Rainbow Nation — which hosted the tournament in 1995 — as the “clear leader” ahead of France and Ireland.
But it is France which will stage the 10th edition of rugby union’s most prestigious competition.
It is a tournament France has staged twice before – in 1991 and 2007.
More to follow.
