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World Rugby statement: Gill Whitehead appointed for World Cup 2025
Gill Whitehead has been appointed independent chair of the Rugby World Cup 2025 board of directors, marking a major milestone in tournament planning. A joint venture between World Rugby and the RFU, with funding from the UK Government, Rugby World Cup 2025 will usher in a new era as the first Rugby World Cup to be delivered under World Rugby’s new hosting model.
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A statement read: “Gill Whitehead will bring an impressive wealth of leadership and executive board experience in the media and technology sectors with the likes of Google, the BBC and Channel 4 and considerable non-executive experience spanning FTSE 100 companies and the British Olympic Association.
“As independent chair, Whitehead will preside over a board structure that comprises World Rugby, RFU and UK Government nominated representatives and a further skills-based independent director. The board composition will be announced in due course.
“The new board structure will enable all stakeholders to maximise key objectives that will underpin a clear vision for the tournament to be the biggest and best women’s rugby event ever, elevating women in rugby on a global basis, delivering a lasting legacy, championing sustainability and delivering an exceptional fan experience.
“With a passion for women’s sport and in particular women’s rugby, Whitehead played rugby to a representative level and can be found on the touchline of Beaconsfield RFC, where she has been involved in youth rugby at the club as an RFU level two coach.
“Following a very special and record-breaking New Zealand tournament that raised the bar in performance, attendance and engagement outcomes, Rugby World Cup 2025 aims to set new standards in rugby event hosting on and off the field as an inspirer of fan and participation growth, an agent for positive change and the biggest women’s rugby event ever organised with 16 teams battle to be crowned world champions.”
Whitehead said: “It is a dream come true to help bring the next women’s Rugby World Cup to England. Building on the Lionesses at the Euros to the thrilling final between the Red Roses and Black Ferns at Eden Park, England 2025 represents a real opportunity to further inspire girls, women and communities across the UK and globe, and to once again illustrate the sheer excitement, enjoyment and excellence that women’s sport offers.”
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World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont added: “When we announced England as the host nation for Rugby World Cup 2025, we knew we would be breaking new ground as the first event to be organised under the revised Rugby World Cup model and at a time when interest and participation in women’s sport, and women’s rugby, is on a massive high.
“Working in full partnership with the RFU and UK Government, we have set the bar high in terms of what success looks like and central to achieving this ambition is the appointment of Gill Whitehead as independent chair of the board of directors. We are delighted to be welcoming someone of her calibre to preside over the planning and preparation for what will be a transformative Rugby World Cup.
“In addition to Gill’s impressive leadership credentials, she has a proven track record in digital transformation, data analytics and insight, advertising and diversity and inclusion – all central to the delivery of what we believe will be the biggest and most impactful women’s rugby event of all time, advancing the profile, reach and inspiration of women’s sport in England and across the globe.”
RFU chair Tom Ilub said: “It’s our collective ambition to deliver a truly game-changing tournament that inspires a generation of players both in England and around the globe to get involved in rugby. We look forward to working with Gill, whose business acumen and passion for rugby are clear, in achieving this ambition through Rugby World Cup 2025.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
Results probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
1 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
1 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
8 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
6 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
56 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
8 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
61 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to comments