The presentation of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in Bordeaux, December 11, 2020. -

UGO AMEZ / SIPA

World Rugby announced on Monday some arrangements for the 2023 World Cup, which will take place in France.

In order to better protect the players, it was decided that each team would have at least five days of rest between two matches, with the possibility of taking 33 players against 31 in previous editions.

As a result, the competition is extended by a week, with a final on October 28.

The goal ?

“Optimizing recovery and preparation”, assures the governing body of world rugby.

“The 2023 Rugby World Cup in France will feature longer rest periods for all teams.

The move comes after the Rugby World Cup Board of Directors, World Rugby Executive Committee, France 2023 Organizing Committee and International Rugby Players have agreed on a set of principles relating to player health leading to a greatly improved match schedule, ”said World Rugby in a statement.

"Rugby has become too physical and demanding"

According to Bernard Laporte, President of the French Federation and Vice-President of World Rugby, "this historic decision makes France 2023 the fairest Rugby World Cup of all time."

Same story for Brian O'Driscoll.

For the former Irish international center (133 selections between 1999 and 2014), today representative of the players' union International Rugby Players on the board of directors of the Rugby World Cup, “rugby has become too physical and demanding to be able to play. with short periods of rest ”.

"All the teams have found it difficult, especially those who do not have the depth of the workforce of the main nations," said the former captain of the XV du Trèfle.

In 2019, during the Japanese World Cup, the XV of France had not played for eleven days between its narrow victory against Argentina (23-21), on September 21, and the lesson inflicted on the United States (33- 9), October 2.

Before playing four days later, against Tonga (23-21).

In the same pool, the English beat Tonga (35-3) on September 22, then the United States (45-7) on 26 and Argentina (39-10) on October 5.

Or three matches in fifteen days.

"Increase in tourism"

In addition, according to World Rugby, this new calendar will give a boost to the host country, which will thus benefit from an additional week to welcome the supporters.

"This will lead to increased tourism, spending and economic benefits," says the governing body.

“For France and its host cities, it is a pleasure to welcome fans from all over the world.

They will thus be able to take the time to discover the magnificent landscapes and monuments of our beautiful country, ”said Laporte.

The final 2023 World Cup schedule will be announced on February 26.

It will start on September 8.

Sport

World Cup 2023: Galthié does not have "the cat DD" ... France falls into the pool of All Blacks!

Sport

World 2023: "Do your best to bring the Cup home", Macron teases the Blues after the draw

  • Rugby World Cup

  • Sport

  • Rugby