By Gary Anderson

October 2 - England Rugby 2015 chief executive Debbie Jevans will give a speech at the IRBWRCE 2013 in DublinEngland Rugby 2015 chief executive Debbie Jevans and Ireland's Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar have been confirmed as speakers at next month's inaugural International Rugby Board (IRB) World Rugby Conference and Exhibition in Dublin.

Jevans, who heads the Organising Committee for Rugby World Cup 2015, will speak during a session entitled "Winning Bids and Delivering Outstanding Rugby Events", that will examine the issues and challenges of bidding for and staging major sporting events.

The former general secretary of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) was director of sport for London 2012 and was responsible for delivering the 26 Olympic and 20 Paralympic sports events, as well as medical and anti-doping programmes, at the Games last year before taking on her role with England Rugby 2015.

The Rugby World Cup 2015, due to take place from September 18 to October 31, will see a total of 48 matches take place across ten cities in England as well as Cardiff in Wales, with 20 nations taking part.

Jevans will be joined by Varadkar, who is also a member of the Foundation Board of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

He will outline why Governments back major sports events and how to maximise the potential socio-economic benefits that hosting the world's most prestigious events can deliver.

The IRB's Head of Rugby World Cup, Kit McConnell, s also scheduled to take part in the discussion as will chairman of Vero Communications, Mike Lee, who was involved in rugby sevens campaign for Olympic inclusion as well as being part of Rio 2016 and Pyeonchang 2018's successful bids for the Summer and Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games respectively.

Lee was also instrumental in Brian Cookson's winning election campaign to become President of the International Cycling Federation (UCI) last month.

Serial bid winner Mike Lee will be speaking at the IRB's World Rugby Conference and Exhibition in DublinSerial bid winner Mike Lee will be speaking at the IRB's World Rugby Conference and Exhibition in Dublin

























"I am delighted that Debbie, Leo, Kit and Mike will speak at the inaugural IRB World Rugby Conference and Exhibition on what I am sure will be an engaging and entertaining discussion on the future of major rugby events," said IRB chief executive Brett Gosper.

"With what is shaping up to be an insightful and thought-provoking agenda that will explore a range of topics currently facing rugby and world sport, I look forward to welcoming representatives from around the world to what I am sure will be a must-attend event for the global rugby family and wider international sporting community."

The Conference is due to run from November 17 to 21 in the Irish capital, encompassing the IRB General Assembly and the IRB Medical Commission Conference, and will see representatives from 118 national member unions attending along with the Rugby World Cup Organising Committees for England 2015 and Japan 2019.

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