Pat Richards backs Irish bid to play a World Cup match at Thomond Park
Pat Richards has backed a surprise bid from Limerick for Ireland to play at least one of their matches in the 2013 World Cup at the Munster rugby union fortress of Thomond Park.
The goal-kicking Wigan wing and reigning Super League Man of Steel was a key figure in Ireland's success in the last tournament in Australia in 2008, and says he would relish the prospect of facing Australia at the 25,600-capacity stadium, which will stage its first rugby league fixture when Ireland play France this November.
"I think it would be great for a game in the World Cup to be played over there," said Richards, who recently turned down approaches from rugby union to sign a new long-term contract with Wigan. "The game has grown in Ireland on the back of the last World Cup in Australia, and this is another great opportunity."
The bid, which was the last of around 25 submitted to the Rugby Football League before Friday's deadline, is backed by Shannon Development and the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau.
Gordon Matthews, the general manager of Rugby League Ireland, said: "Ireland had a very successful 2008 World Cup in Australia and we are hoping to build on that success further in 2013, preferably with the help of some passionate home support. We are in a position to put forward an impressive case to the organising committee to play one or more of our group games in Limerick and specifically Thomond Park."
Ireland have been drawn in a tough group with England as well as Australia and Fiji, although three teams will qualify from it for the quarter-finals.
Richards's centre partner George Carmont has been persuaded to play on for a fifth season at Wigan in 2012, and they will be joined for the rest of this season by Ben Cross, an Australian prop who was recently released by Leeds, and achieved the rare distinction of being recruited by two clubs on the same day. Cross, 32, has also agreed a deal to play for Widnes next year, subject to being granted a work permit.
Widnes, who will return to the Super League next season after a six-year absence, have also confirmed the signing of Hep Cahill, a New Zealander currently with the Crusaders, but are facing competition from Hull KR in their bid to recruit the experienced Huddersfield wing David Hodgson.
Rugby League World Cup 2008 - News
Gordon Matthews, the general manager of Rugby League Ireland, said: "Ireland had a very successful 2008 World Cup in Australia and we are hoping to build on that success further in 2013, preferably with the help of some passionate home support.
New Zealand are the defending champions having defeated Australia in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup final. Sally Bolton, the RFL's director of projects, and plannning, said: It has been a fantastic and inspiring few months and we have been encouraged
While he has shone brighter perhaps than any other rugby star in the past two World Cup cycles, the tournaments themselves have not been that kind. He was used as a late substitute for Mauger in the 2003 quarter-final against South Africa and not at
"We have had assurances from the RFL that they are still committed to their long-term strategy to expand the sport, especially in a period which will see Wales competing in the 2012 Four Nations tournament and the 2013 Rugby League World Cup,
Speaking at the 'Back the Bid – Limerick 2013' launch, Gordon Matthews, Rugby League Ireland general manager, explained, “Ireland had a very successful 2008 World Cup in Australia and we are hoping to build on that success further in 2013,
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