England Rugby 2015 chair poised for RFU role

The organiser of the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England – Andy Cosslett – has been nominated to replace Bill Beaumont as chair of the Rugby Football Union (RFU).

Cosslett was “unanimously proposed” by the governing body’s Nominations Committee, and his appointment is expected to be approved at the upcoming RFU Council meeting on 14 October.

He oversaw the delivery of the Rugby World Cup last autumn as chair of the England Rugby 2015 organising committee.

Away from the sport, Cosslett spent 14 years with confectionary giant Cadbury Schweppes in several continents. He was the company’s chair in Australia, its Asia Pacific chief executive, the managing director of its UK operations and president of Europe, Middle East and Africa.

The prospective new chair has also been chief executive of Fitness First and the Intercontinental Hotels Group.

Cosslett will replace Beaumont, who was appointed as chair of World Rugby earlier this year.