If I was the "captain" of IRB I would give WC venue to Moscow in 2023

Shocked...startled...Russian phobia

But I think a very intelligent East/West gesture...rugby is more important than status.

You don't get a return in life unless you give first...help your neighbour when he needs you most then you have an ally (I prefer a possible true friend) for life.

Russia doesn't take rugby that seriously. That is not Russians fault, Stalin (although a Georgian) denounced rugby as Colonial and Imperial sport...since Glastnost/Perastroika rugby has developed amongst it's few stalward supporters in Moscow and outer  Ural region in small groups of fanatics...the few exposed love it.My wifes ex boyfriend played rugby for Russian army.

Several years ago when I was in St Petersburg, Sean Fitzpatrick was there too promoting rugby to the youngsters. I remember his comment not word for word but he said that Russia has more potential than any potential future rugby playing nation...he also went to Tbilisi in Georgia and said similar things.

Georgia is a very small and poor country but they love rugby and are very physically strong people...they do well in wrestling, accolades in Olympics...rugby progressing...champions in ENC 1 and qualified by merit for WC 2019 after beating Tonga...when they played the AB's Richie Mc Caw commented how intimdating they are...very strong and tough and will go further with polish...not a side to take lightly.

The AB's respected them and although not a real threat they had to play their best...indeed worthy of respect...in Bordeaux in 2007 they marginally lost to Ireland in WC after leading.

Putting a WC rugby venue in Moscow would be good for rugby...all the visiting sides would love this city...it's unique and different...it's very big and has good facilities and excellent hotels but the most important thing is exposure...it could be the kick start to better things...rugby will appeal to the Russians if presented/sold to them correctly. They are tough physically, challenging and compatant...there's no question about that...history alone teaches that.

My kiwi friend who worked in Poland will tell you how tough the Eastern Block people are but rugby is small there...all those countries have potential...Joel's grandfather came from Czech and Kanko is from Polish/Russian descendancy, not exactly sure but there are Kankowski's in Russia.