The IRB Council re-elected former England captain Bill Beaumont for a second term as IRB Vice Chairman, while a new Executive Committee was also elected.
Bernard Lapasset was a key figure behind the France 2007 bid to host the Rugby World Cup and in his capacity of Chairman of the Organising Committee has played an instrumental part in the delivery of the Rugby World Cup. Lapasset will serve a minimum four-year term and his Chairmanship will start on January 1, 2008.
“I am honoured to be following such a figurehead who has played, coached and administered the Game at the highest level,” said Lapasset. “I would like to thank Dr Syd Millar for his extremely important contribution for the development of the Game. He has managed to adapt the IRB strategic plan to the realities of today’s Game and he has modernised the organisation’s governance and management structures.”
“The Game has never been in such good health. The global success of Rugby World Cup 2007 has put Rugby very much in the forefront of people’s minds and it is important that we continue to capitalise on that success” added Lapasset.
The IRB Executive Committee was also elected and comprises: Bernard Lapasset (IRB Chairman), Bill Beaumont (IRB Vice Chairman), Mike Miller (IRB Chief Executive Officer), Oregan Hoskins (South Africa), David Pickering (Wales), Bill Nolan (Scotland), Peter Boyle (Ireland), Graham Mourie (New Zealand), Paul McLean (Australia)and Carlos Tozzi (Argentina).
