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2nd December 2014
05:49pm GMT

A spokesperson for the union told us, 'The IRFU and other unions have received information from World Rugby (formerly IRB) in relation to the bid process for 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup.
'We will conduct a feasibility study into hosting the tournament. The Union Committee of the IRFU will make a decision on this matter ahead of the 2015 closing date.'
As opposed to the Men's World Cup (or World Cup for short), the last two women's events have been held on sporting or university campus' before moving to larger stadiums - The Stoop in 2010 and Stade Jean Bouin in 2014 - for the semi-finals and final. Each Irish province, if interested, could be expected to send their own proposals to the IRFU were an official bid to go ahead.
Thomond Park, Musgrave Park (following its reconstruction) and the University of Limerick sports campus would both be considered for any bid involving Munster. Munster chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald told us, 'Any such bid is the remit of the IRFU and is not part of our brief. Such bids do require the host union provide financial guarantees.
'In the event that the IRFU do apply to host a World Cup tournament, Munster would support that application.'
Head of Rugby World Cup, Alan Gilpin commented, 'We have already had interest from a number of unions in hosting 2017, and judging from the media interest and crowd participation this year, I really believe it will be another fantastic event, wherever it takes place.' World Rugby will consider bids from the beginning of next year and are scheduled to make a decision in May.Explore more on these topics: