Candidates to become new Chair of World Rugby confirmed

Three former Test forwards have been confirmed as the candidates to replace Sir Bill Beaumont as Chair of World Rugby once his second term in office runs its course in the middle of next month.

France’s Abdelatif Benazzi is arguably the best-known of the trio after a 78-cap career for Les Bleus. Benazzi has been nominated by France, who he represented between 1990 and 2001, and seconded by South Africa.

The 56-year-old will be running against fellow lock and former Italy international, Professor Andrea Rinaldo, whose candidacy has been endorsed by Italy and seconded by Ireland, while ex-Wallaby, Brett Robinson, the youngest of the trio, has been put forward by his own country and seconded by England.

If elected, Robinson would become the first person from the Southern Hemisphere to hold the role since its inception in 1996.

The three candidates will contest the election for the Chair of World Rugby at the Interim Meeting of Council in Dublin, Ireland, on November 14.

Meanwhile, two World Rugby Hall of Fame inductees are among the 13 nominees for the six available positions on the World Rugby Executive Board. They are Rugby World Cup-winning captain John Eales and former Vice-Chair of World Rugby, Agustin Pichot.

At the November 14th meeting, the 52 members of Council will first elect the new Chair, followed by six Executive Board members, from whom the Vice-Chair will be chosen.