Ireland's 2023 Rugby World Cup bid was launched this afternoon and the GAA forms a central component of the proposal.

Of the twelve stadia proposed by Ireland's Oversight Board for the tournament in seven years' time, no fewer than eight of them belong to the GAA - two from each province - namely Croke Park (Dublin), Pairc Ui Chaoimh (Cork), Casement Park (Belfast), Fitzgerald Stadium (Kerry), Pearse Stadium (Galway), McHale Park (Mayo), Nowlan Park (Kilkenny) and Celtic Park (Derry). Semple Stadium is not included.

The actual rugby grounds that would be used if Ireland's bid proves successful are the Aviva Stadium (Dublin), Thomond Park (Limerick), Ravenhill (Belfast) and the RDS (Dublin).

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Northern Ireland's First Minister Martin McGuinness, Brian O'Driscoll and Dick Spring all attended the launch of Ireland's bid in the Aviva today.

Croke Park hasn't hosted a rugby union game since Ireland were beaten by Scotland in the Six Nations in March, 2010.

Delighted that Nowlan Park has been selected as a potential venue for Rugby World Cup Bid 2023 #Ireland2023 pic.twitter.com/zirOzXnRoK

- Kilkenny GAA (@KilkennyCLG) November 15, 2016

Ready For The World. Liam Neeson narrates Ireland's bid to host Rugby World Cup 2023 #Ireland2023 pic.twitter.com/zcZGBqsnO0

- Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) November 15, 2016

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