The Ulster Unionist Party’s sports spokesperson, Leslie Cree MLA, has urged the Enterprise Minister to use Northern Ireland’s position on the Rugby World Cup working group to emphasise that the Irish rugby team represents both Northern Ireland and the Republic.
Mr Cree said;
“I very much welcome the 2023 Rugby World Cup coming to the island of Ireland with matches to be played in both Northern Ireland and the Republic.
“I also welcome the fact that Northern Ireland now has a voice on the working group and I therefore took the opportunity at Assembly Question Time to ask the DETI Minister Arlene Foster if this presented an opportunity to emphasise that the Irish rugby team represents both jurisdictions, is not the Republic of Ireland's rugby team and that this should be reflected in the Irish Rugby Football Union's attention to things such as anthems and flags.
“I am pleased to say that the Minister concurred with my views and has pledged to meet with the DCAL Minister to decide on the best way forward.
“There has been a tremendous resurgence in rugby in Northern Ireland in the past 20 years as the game has embraced professionalism and this has been very evident in the huge increase in support for Ulster and the redevelopment the old Ravenhill ground into a wonderful modern stadium.
“I believe that in a spirit of inclusivity and indeed parity of esteem, more could and should be done by the IRFU to recognise the fact that the Irish rugby team represents two countries and I look forward to this being the case when the 2023 World Cup comes around.”