Rugby Africa said well-being, health and safety of the players was its priority when selecting a host for the continental tournament - one which is not in Africa.

The organisation said France promised to host a tournament of the highest international standards, including venues, hotels, security measures, health practices relating to COVID-19 and medical infrastructure.

Rugby Africa selected France over bids from Kenya, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

"France is a great rugby nation, and France 2023 will be able to highlight Rugby Africa’s most important tournament to date," said Khaled Babbou, Rugby Africa President.

"Indeed, these qualifications bring together eight teams for the first time.

"It is a major tournament which promises a high-quality show and which is now attracting the attention of the sports world outside African borders.

"We look forward to being able to show the world, fans from all continents, the progress and quality of African rugby.

"I would like to thank France 2023 for his support as well as all the organisations that responded to the call for applications and in particular the Kenyan rugby federation, the Zimbabwean rugby federation and the Namibian rugby federation which regularly organise other major tournaments for Rugby Africa brilliantly."

The winners of the Rugby Africa Cup will advance to the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, where they will join the host nation in Pool A.

Pool A also includes New Zealand, Italy and the first Americas qualifier.

The Rugby Africa Cup marks the third round of the African qualification process for the World Cup, with a repechage and group stage having already taken place.

Competition will resume in France next July with the quarter-finals opening the knockout stage of the tournament.

"We are delighted to welcome the eight best African teams for this qualification tournament, with a double objective," said Claude Atcher, France 2023 chief executive.

"To highlight the work carried out by all federations for years as well as the level of sports of the qualified teams, and engage our territories in a pre-celebration of the Rugby World Cup."

Namibia won their group and will face Burkina Faso in the last eight, with the winners meeting either Senegal or Algeria.

Uganda will meet Kenya in the quarter-finals with both teams seeking a place in the last four, where they will take on either Zimbabwe or the Ivory Coast.

France will also host the semi-finals, final and ranking matches.

The runner-up at the tournament will advance to the final, global qualification tournament for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.