Agustin Pichot wants rugby ‘realignment’

Associated PressApr 15, 2020, 5:57 PM EDT

Getty Images

Bill Beaumont is facing a late challenge to his bid for re-election as World Rugby chairman from his current vice chairman.

Former Argentina and Bristol captain Agustin Pichot tweeted he was running against Beaumont for the role at rugby union’s governing body.

The 45-year-old Pichot said the crisis caused by the coronavirus outbreak was an opportunity for “global realignment” of rugby.

Former England captain Beaumont announced he was standing for a second four-year term in January with French Rugby Federation president Bernard Laporte as his proposed vice chairman.

Pichot, who also had a spell with Richmond in the late 1990s, wrote: “It is a critical time and a critical election. The current crisis is an opportunity for the global realignment of our game. We cannot miss it.”

The election is due to be held in May.

World Rugby postponing July test matches

Associated PressMay 15, 2020, 4:44 PM EDT

AP Photo

World Rugby has postponed July test matches involving southern and northern hemisphere nations because of ongoing restrictions on international travel during the coronavirus pandemic.

The sport’s international governing body issued a statement Friday saying the mid-year test window will be rescheduled when cross-border travel and quarantine regulations are relaxed.

New Zealand had been scheduled to play Wales and Scotland, Australia was set to play Ireland and Fiji and South Africa had planned to host Scotland and Georgia. World Rugby said the postponement is due “to ongoing government and health agency COVID-19 directives.”

Bill Beaumont re-elected as World Rugby chairman

Associated PressMay 2, 2020, 6:43 PM EDT

AP Photo

Former England captain Bill Beaumont has been re-elected as World Rugby chairman on Saturday after beating Agustín Pichot, the current vice-chairman.

The sport’s governing body says the 68-year-old Beaumont achieved a first-round majority of 28 votes to 23.

Beaumont says: “I am honored to accept the mandate of the World Rugby Council to serve as the international federation’s chairman once again.”

He begins his four-year term after a council meeting on May 12.

French rugby federation president Bernard Laporte becomes Beaumont’s new vice-chairman.