Sir Bill Beaumont’s parting words: ‘the game has never been so good’

As Sir Bill Beaumont hands over the baton of leading international rugby, the outgoing World Rugby Chairman has described his time in charge of the sport as “an indescribable privilege”.

Beaumont was initially elected in 2016 and re-elected in May 2020, and has steered the sport through the global pandemic, implemented historic calendar reform, delivered Rugby World Cup transformation and accelerated growth in the women’s game. He has also implemented governance reform that broadens nation, region, player and independent voices within World Rugby’s decision-making structures.

On his watch, both the Women’s and Men’s Rugby World Cup tournament have been expanded, from 12 to 16 teams and 20 to 24 teams respectively. It is the first time the men’s tournament has increased in size since the tournament went from 16 participants to 20 in 1999.

Beaumont’s successor will be elected on Thursday, with three former internationals in the running for the prized position in France’s Abdelatif Benazzi, Italy’s Andrea Rinaldo and Australia’s Brett Robinson

After serving a maximum eight-year term, the 72-year-old believes he leaves with the sport in a good place moving forward.

“It has been a great honour to lead World Rugby. My belief in rugby, its values, and its positive power is stronger than ever,” said the former England and British and Irish Lions captain.

“When you love a sport like I do, it is an indescribable privilege to play a role in advancing that sport, and I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together as a sport.

“My firm belief is that I pass the ball on to my successor with strong foundations in place. We must not forget that we navigated the sport through its darkest period during COVID, delivering a relief plan that supported unions devoid of income and a science-driven approach to returning the sport back to professional and community rugby fields.

“When I was first elected in 2016, my first words were to thank my colleagues for their confidence and in giving me the mandate to modernise our structures.

“Together, we have done just that. In the last four years alone, we have agreed the foundations of transformative men’s and women’s calendar reform, expanded our men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups, widening opportunity, and broadened representation on our decision-making structures. All with a view to growing the sport, its reach, appeal and impact.

“The calendar is an issue that many observers doubted would ever be resolved. Yet, a year ago, through a renewed spirit of collaboration with players, international and domestic competitions, we established a robust framework that provided certainty and opportunity.

“This was a landmark achievement, especially as it also paved the way for the two-division Nations Cup concept – crucial for raising global standards, expanding commercial and broadcast appeal, and attracting a diverse fanbase.

“We’ve also set out expanded men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups, with events mapped out to transformative competitions in the USA in 2031 and 2033. This increases opportunities for more nations to qualify, while also providing a runway to grow revenue for investment into our unions, regions and competitions.”

Less than a year out from England hosting Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, Beaumont also highlights huge advancements in the women’s game and welfare as critical to the future prosperity of the sport: “We have also driven investment and energy into the women’s game to grow the sport as a whole, and, as excitement builds ahead of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, I believe that we are on the cusp of something very special.

“I am particularly proud of the sport’s leading moves that we have made in player welfare, embracing new technology and taking difficult but necessary decisions, while reducing the risk of injury wherever possible

“Sports around the world now look to rugby as an example of how to adapt, ensuring players are given the best care whilst keeping the sport exciting and relevant to a wide audience. Whether it is cutting edge innovations such as smart mouthguards in elite rugby; or beginning the journey of reshaping the community game through trials of new tackle height laws, we have never stood still on player welfare.”

As a former player, father and grandfather to rugby players, and above all a fan, Beaumont added: “Everything that we have set out to achieve has been to make rugby more accessible and more relevant, to move with the times and always with players and fans at heart. We have made bold law changes and increased ball in flow time to enhance fan and player experience, and the game, as we are seeing this November, has never been so good.

“We have also brought the professional leagues and players closer to our decision-making processes and that has fostered a new era of collaboration, driving reform and bold changes. Of course, there are debates and disagreements, and that’s healthy, but when it’s mattered, we have pulled together to get things done for the betterment of the game as a whole.

“I would like to thank my union and region colleagues for their trust in me, for their support and counsel. I would also like to thank Chief Executive Alan Gilpin and the World Rugby staff for their support, passion and expertise in moving the sport forwards.”

Beaumont is now looking forward to enjoying a few more weekends at Fylde Rugby Club, championing and watching community rugby, and continuing to play his full part in helping the RFU Injured Players Foundation transform lives.