Bill Beaumont officially named chair of World Rugby

Bill Beaumont, the former England rugby international, has been officially appointed as the chair of World Rugby.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) chair and Argentinian Agustin Pichot were named chair and vice-chair of the governing body during a meeting of its Council in Dublin after both candidates stood unopposed.

The pair succeed Bernard Lapasset, who is leaving to concentrate on Paris’ bid for the 2024 Olympic Games, and Oregan Hoskins respectively, and will officially begin their four-year terms on 1 July 2016.

Beaumont, who won 34 caps for England, said he was “honoured” to be elected and highlighted the “great opportunities to further develop and grow the game”.

However, he stressed the importance of avoiding complacency, pointing to key messages in his manifesto, which included player protection, integrity, enhancing global competition, maximising commercial partnership and the empowering of unions.

“I will nurture the roots of rugby, our fundamental values and financial security and will make rugby decisions for rugby reasons,” he said following his election. “As World Rugby chair, I will work with unions over the next four years to deliver healthy, sustainable growth for the game we all love.”

Former Argentina captain (and president of Rugby Americas) Pichot is the first representative from his nation to be named vice-chair of World Rugby. He said it was an “extremely exciting time for the growth and development for rugby”, adding that he would use his new position to promote inclusivity and equality in the sport.