Beaumont pledges World Rugby review in re-election bid

Bill Beaumont has pledged an independent review of World Rugby's governance should he be re-elected as the global body's chairman next month.

Former England captain Beaumont is facing a challenge from vice-chairman Agustin Pichot, with the Argentina great campaigning on a reform platform.

Beaumont is keen to avoid being portrayed as the 'establishment' candidate, concerned solely with the fate of rugby union's current major nations.

"Our aim is to have a more representative and diverse international federation that better serves the game, not one that is seen to only support the 'old guard'," said Beaumont, who published his manifesto on Tuesday.

Beaumont, running on a ticket that has French Rugby Federation president Bernard Laporte standing for vice-president, added: "To achieve our aim of a strong international federation with a clear vision, we are proposing a wide-ranging governance review led by two independently appointed people." The aim was to "bring in fresh ideas and perspective".

Beaumont was behind World Rugby's plan for a global nations championship.

That scheme failed to get off the drawing board last year when it failed to gain the support of all of Europe's leading Six Nations representatives, with Scotland and Ireland in particular concerned about the prospect of relegation that would ensue in a new set-up designed to provide a pathway for emerging countries.

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