After the 2023 Rugby World Cup draw in Paris, Goff Rugby Report had the time to catch up with Claude Atcher, who is the CEO of the 2023 RWC Organizing Committee.

We asked him about plans for the World Cup in France, about the plans to make some changes for the Tier 2 competitors, and a new plan to pay for every team to stay in France for the entire tournament.

By David Dybman in Paris

GoffRugbyReport : What does the draw for the 2023 World Cup mean for you?

Claude Atcher: It's an emotional moment because it is the consecration of two years of work in the shadow. Now we're moving a step forward. The competition just started today. There is a lot of impatience to build the calendar with sometimes difficult negotiations with the 10 cities that all want to host France, New Zealand, England and South Africa. We have two months from now to build it.

RWC 2023 Draw Finalized

GoffRugbyReport : Just wondering if you have a ‘B’ plan in case of a new pandemic coming…?

Claude Atcher: To be honest if we have another pandemic, there will be more important things than a Rugby World Cup. Regardless we have, of course, cancellation insurance in that kind of case.

GoffRugbyReport : Back to the game, do you have an idea of who will face off in the opening match? 

Claude Atcher: I’d love a France v New Zealand to kick off the World Cup. But we're going to discuss with the France staff and with the head of the ticketing office. I already met the people in charge of the Stade de France where the inaugural game will be played. For them too, France v New Zealand would be a great game to have as the first of the 2023 World Cup.

GoffRugbyReport : When you say you will have to speak with the France staff, does that mean they can veto the choice? 

Claude Atcher: No, they can’t put a veto but we will be open to discussion. We don't want to do it against them, even if I can guarantee that each team will be treated fairly. As director of this World Cup, that's one of my commitments. I can't favor the French team over any other team.

GoffRugbyReport : You mentioned the smaller rugby nations—the Tier 2 teams. They're the ones the press doesn't talk about very often and sometimes have these wild World Cup schedules—sometimes waiting over two weeks to play and then playing twice in five days. Are you going to take special care of these nations and how?

Claude Atcher : I can guarantee one thing, and that is that the resting time will be fair, almost equal. This is a commitment we have made. We're also going to have Tier 1 nations play during the week because we think it's important for the French team to be able to go and play on a Tuesday or Wednesday in a city. It's a way to engage the population. 

GoffRugbyReport : And do you have the agreement of the Tier 1 nations to play during the week?

Claude Atcher: For the moment, they don't know. They will find out soon and even the French XV will not play on all four weekends. There is at least one match that Les Bleus will play during the week. The principle that I will defend is that each team in the Tier 1 plays at least one match during the week. That's part of the fairness and equality of treatment for which I'm responsible.

GoffRugbyReport : That’s a huge step forward

Claude Atcher: On the first calendar we worked on, there will be no more than three days between games. We're also going to try to have matches on Saturday and Sunday in the same city to create a great moment in this city.

GoffRugbyReport : How and when will tickets be sold?

Claude Atcher: We want to make tickets available to everybody, regardless their standard of living. There will be tickets starting at 15 Euros (US$18.22). For the French team, the first tickets will be on sale from 30 Euros (US$36.44). Then, for the final phases the prices will obviously be higher. In January, we should get the price of tickets and go on sale early March. 

GoffRugbyReport : This World Cup will also be the first one where all the teams will be able to stay in the host country for the entire event, correct?

Claude Atcher: That’s right. It will be the first time something like that will happen. Of course they won’t have to pay for their stay. Everything will be done by the 2023 RWC. In counterpart they will have to share their values, with schools, rugby clubs … This Rugby World Cup will be also the first to host a closing ceremony with the teams that will still be there in the country.