-
Former England captain Bill Beaumont is currently chairman of Rugby Football Union
-
He would replace Bernard Lapasset, who is not seeking re-election
Former England captain Bill Beaumont is set to become chairman of World Rugby, the governing body of the sport.
The 64-year-old is the current head of the RFU (Rugby Football Union) and is set to stand unopposed for the same role at World Rugby.
Current incumbent Bernard Lapasset is not seeking re-election, and World Rugby said on Monday that Beaumont had been nominated by the RFU and was the only candidate.
Lapasset is standing down to lead Paris’s bid to win the right to host the 2024 Olympic Games.
Beaumont captained England to a Grand Slam in 1980 and subsequently skippered a Lions tour to South Africa.
The Chorley-born former lock played 34 times for England between 1975 and 1982 and represented the British and Irish Lions on seven occasions.
He made his debut in 1969 for Fylde Rugby Club, the team which he spent his whole career at before injury forced him to retire in 1982. He made his international debut as a 22-year-old in Dublin in 1975 as a late replacement for Roger Uttley.
He toured Australia in 1975, Japan, Fiji and Tonga in 1979, and Argentina in 1981 with England. He played 15 times for the Barbarians, including the match against the All Blacks in 1978.
He took over as England captain in Paris in 1978. He was an inspiring captain of the North of England, whom he led to victory over the All Blacks in 1979, and also of England, who won their first Grand Slam for 23 years in 1980.
Former Argentina international Agustin Pichot is the only candidate to replace Oregan Hoskins as vice-chairman.
Pichot, who had a distinguished career as a scrum-half for Argentina, was nominated by his country’s federation to succeed Oregan Hoskins as vice chairman and Pichot is also unopposed.
The elections will be held in Dublin on 11 May, with a simple majority required to be elected for a four-year term.