England great Bill Beaumont elected new chairman of World Rugby

Bill Beaumont has outlined a five-point manifesto after being unanimously elected as the new chairman of World Rugby.

The former England captain, 64, will replace Bernard Lapasset on July 1, leaving behind his roles as chair of the Rugby Football Union and the Six Nations. His election was ratified at the governing body’s board meeting in Dublin on Wednesday, with both he and new vice-chairman Agustin Pichot standing unopposed.

Beaumont had previously filled the latter post from 2007 to 2012. Speaking after the announcement, he was quick to highlight the five most pressing matters of his tenure.

“These priorities are: continuing to protect players, preserving integrity, enhancing global competition, optimising partnerships and empowering and strengthening unions,” he said.

Concussion protocols have become a hot topic and, although there is a greater enlightenment on the topic than in Beaumont’s own playing days, he is keen to keep the issue firmly to the fore.

“It’s our responsibility to make sure we look after the whole player and not just for 80 minutes, but for life,” he said. “We have to make certain that we can make the game as safe as possible and that is by constantly reviewing the laws of the game looking at our management.”

Beaumont also spoke supportively of helping to make rugby sevens a success in the Olympics and vowed to keep anti-doping measures strong throughout the game.

“Doping is a concern for us all. I think what we have to do is keep educating our players,” he said.

Lapasset’s final significant act was confirming the pool draw for the 2019 World Cup would be held in May 2017. Japanese organisers had lobbied for the draw to take place in late 2016, keen to sell tickets for specific matches as soon as possible.

Rugby’s leading nations, however, were keen to push the draw as late as possible, to reduce the chances of another ‘pool of death’ such as the one that matched England, Wales and Australia in 2015.

“While the draw is closer to the start of the tournament this time around compared to the previous Rugby World Cup, it is necessary to conduct it well in advance for logistical reasons and to allow for an effective ticketing programme to be implemented,” said Lapasset.