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London - Brian O'Driscoll, the world's most-capped player, is to be the "ambassador" for Ireland's bid to stage the 2023 World Cup, the Irish Rugby Football Union have announced on Thursday.
O'Driscoll, who made 141 Test appearances before retiring last year, was one of three players on the so-far seven-strong board to have played international rugby for Ireland, together with chairman Dick Spring, a former deputy prime minister of the Republic of Ireland, and Hugo MacNeill.
"This is a very exciting opportunity for Ireland and while competition will be fierce for what is one of the most prized events in world sport, we will leave no stone unturned in putting together a world-class case for Ireland to host what would be a hugely successful Rugby World Cup in 2023," said IRFU chief executive Philip Browne.
"Ireland's record in supporting international events and fixtures shows that we could look forward to full stadia throughout the tournament with the perfect mix of stadia in place, from intimate venues suitable for Pool matches, right up to (Dublin's) Croke Park with its 82 000 capacity and all within easy travelling distance of one another.
"Given our proximity to major rugby markets, timeline location and the array of major international firms with European bases here I believe Ireland would deliver a highly successful commercial event."
Ireland have never been the main host nation of a Rugby World Cup but did stage matches during the 1991 and 1999 editions when matches were spread across the British Isles, with finals at London's Twickenham and Cardiff's Millennium Stadium respectively.
However, it was announced on Wednesday that Ireland would stage the 2017 women's rugby World Cup
World Rugby, the sport's governing body, will launch the 2023 host selection process at Twickenham in June, with final presentations taking place in May 2017.
This year's World Cup takes place in England from September 18-October 31, with the 2019 edition due to be staged in Japan.
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