Sport

Italy aims to host Rugby World Cup, Ryder Cup and Olympics in three years

The ambitious plan is to round off the events with the Catholic Jubilee in 2025

LThe Rugby World Cup Trophy with the Official World Cup Rugby ball during a photo shoot on March 5, 2003 in London. Photograph: David Rogers/John Gichigi/Getty Images
LThe Rugby World Cup Trophy with the Official World Cup Rugby ball during a photo shoot on March 5, 2003 in London. Photograph: David Rogers/John Gichigi/Getty Images
Fri Dec 05 2014 - 01:00

Italy is lining up a bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup as well as the 2022 Ryder Cup and the 2024 Olympic Games, Italian rugby federation president Alfredo Gavazzi said.

Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi and National Olympic Committee president Giovanni Malago are supporting the bids which are planned to be rounded off by the Catholic Jubilee in 2025.

“We have reached an agreement with CONI [the Olympic committee] and we have the endorsement of the prime minister Matteo Renzi,” Gavazzi said.

“This World Cup could become a cocktail for our country, before the Olympic Games of 2024 and the Catholic Jubilee of 2025. We are working to have common locations with those events.”

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Much needs to be done before the tournament can be staged.

“We need about eight stadiums,” Gavazzi said.

“Placed along all the Italian territory, from north to south. We like so much the idea, even because it would give us a chance to modernise eight stadiums.”

It would be a chance to promote rugby in Italy on the back of the excellent crowds at Six Nations matches.

Ireland and South Africa are also expected to bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.