By Simon Hunter
Ireland's officially entered the bidding process for the Rugby World Cup in 2023.
Documents have been delivered to World Rugby's headquarters in Dublin, following a seven-month long campaign.
Eleven year-old Alex Place, from Templepatrick, was selected by the Irish Rugby Football Union to submit the documents.
He's an Ulster season ticket-holder, and was selected from almost 200 entries from across Ireland to become the IRFU’s 2023 ‘Bid Kid’.
It's after a stand-out entry which summed up Alex’s love of the sport in just seven words – Life is simple, eat, sleep, play rugby.
Alex is a pupil from Templepatrick Primary, and has played with Academy Rugby Club since he was four, and they're in Florence to play against Italian club teams.
Ulster and Ireland's Andrew Trimble called in to give Alex the good news.
Alex’s mum, Leanne Place said,
“When we spotted that the IRFU were looking for a kid to hand over Ireland’s bid for Rugby World Cup 2023, we just thought ‘Alex would be perfect for that’, so we took a picture with all the jerseys and balls he has collected over the years and told the IRFU about Alex’s mantra - Life is simple, eat, sleep, play rugby.
“I am delighted Alex was selected, as he is obsessed with rugby and I know that this will be a very special day for him. We are really proud that Alex gets to do something so important for the game he loves.”
Alex said,
“I was so shocked to see Andrew at my home and for a moment I didn’t really know what was happening. When he told me that I had been selected as the bid kid I was so happy.
“I just love rugby and hopefully I get selected for Ireland again and again, as I really want to play for Ulster and Ireland when I grow up. I can’t wait to go to Dublin to hand over Ireland’s bid for the Rugby World Cup, I am just so happy.”
IRTV: #Ireland2023 bid submission a 'momentous' day - watch the highlights https://t.co/O5dB6cbx8X pic.twitter.com/PRyZZSu1G6
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) 2 June 2017
The Emerald Isle's competitors for the hosting of the competition are France and South Africa.
A vote in November will determine the successful candidate.
The next edition of the tournament, to contest for the Webb Ellis trophy, will take place in Japan in 2019, having been hosted by England two years ago.
It would be the first time Ireland's hosted the competition.