Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Bill Beaumont becomes interim RFU chairman once amid pay scandal

Updated Beaumont becomes interim RFU chairman after pay scandal

Bill Beaumont has been appointed Rugby Football Union chairman on an interim basis following the resignation of Tom Ilube.

Rugby • 20 Dec 24

Calls to make rugby safer 'before player dies on TV'

A group of former British and Irish players and coaches have called on World Rugby to implement changes which allow replacements only for injury to make the sport safer and help prevent the prospect of a player dying on the field.

Rugby • 14 Aug 21

The new process offers scope to impose sanctions for illegal head and neck contact

New guidelines will deal with head and neck injuries

Referees will be given more help to deal with head and neck contact at all levels of the game after World Rugby launched new guidelines in a bid to reduce the risk of injuries.

Rugby • 11 Mar 21

New lobby group urges action on rugby concussions

A lobby group composed of players, officials, referees, coaches, medical experts and teachers has been formed to campaign for improved safety in the sport they describe as "broken".

Rugby • 18 Feb 21

Bill Beaumont has been at the helm of World Rugby since 2016

Pacific group seeking review on Beaumont re-election

Pacific Rugby campaigners have called for a review into Bill Beaumont's re-election as World Rugby chairman in May.

Rugby • 22 Jul 20

There are no suggestions that the Six Nations would change format

Six Nations not under threat in new agenda - Beaumont

There could be two consecutive months of international action under plans for a new global tournament, newly re-elected World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont has revealed.

Rugby • 05 May 20

Bill Beaumont has held off the challenge of Agustin Pichot to remain as World Rugby chair for four more years

Bill Beaumont re-elected as World Rugby chairman

Bill Beaumont has been re-elected as the chairman of World Rugby, the governing body has announced.

Rugby • 03 May 20

Felipe Contepomi with Bill Beaumont and Agustin Pichot

Pichot would help grow rugby globally, says Contepomi

Leinster backs coach Felipe Contepomi believes that his former Argentina team-mate Agustín Pichot is the right man to develop rugby on a global scale.

Rugby • 01 May 20

Pichot believes the sport has been on the back foot over recent decades

Pichot cites 'Fortnite' example in vow to revamp rugby

Agustin Pichot has vowed to jolt World Rugby out of "copy and paste mode" if he manages to unseat incumbent chairman Bill Beaumont next month, with online video game Fortnite an unlikely pillar of his plan.

Rugby • 28 Apr 20

Bill Beaumont: 'It's a balancing act that you have to do to fit everything into this jigsaw'

Beaumont not ruling out new structure for global game

World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont believes a unified approach to tackling the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic can help his sport create a new international structure.

Rugby • 18 Apr 20

Coronavirus could claim international rugby calendar

Bill Beaumont believes it is a "distinct possibility" the international rugby calendar could be scrapped this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Rugby • 17 Apr 20

Bill Beaumont (L) and Agustin Pichot will compete

Woodward backs Pichot as candidate rejects bailouts

Former England coach Clive Woodward is backing Agustin Pichot's bid for the top job at World Rugby, saying the Argentine can help steer the sport out of its current financial straits.

Rugby • 15 Apr 20

Agustin Pichot wants a more democratic structure to international rugby

Pichot eager to shake up rugby global calendar

Agustin Pichot has staked his bid to become chairman of World Rugby on a modern, more inclusive global game that gives emerging nations a greater voice in a major shake-up of the sport.

Rugby • 14 Apr 20

EPCR deny that cup competitions are under threat

A statement from European Professional Club Rugby has hit out at media reports reports regarding a proposal for an annual Club World Cup.

Rugby • 06 Apr 20

World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said: "There is growing recognition of the importance of autonomy of gender identity in society."

World Rugby to review policy on transgender players

World Rugby chiefs are planning a comprehensive review of the sport's policies relating to transgender players.

Rugby • 21 Feb 20

World Rugby's €5.8b defence of Nations Championship

World Rugby has launched a defence of its under-fire Nations Championship concept, insisting the proposed annual tournament can earn the sport €5.86 billion in 12 years.

Rugby • 14 Mar 19

Representatives from all tier-one countries, along with Fiji, Japan, and the players' union, will gather in Dublin later this month

Controversial World League to be discussed in Dublin

World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont has called a meeting to discuss the future of the international game amidst controversy over plans for a World League.

Rugby • 04 Mar 19

Bernard Laporte is seeking to make changes to the rugby tackle rules

FFR propose major changes to rugby tackle rules

The French Rugby Federation are proposing changes to rules of rugby tackling, including lowering the legal height of a tackle to waist level.

Rugby • 21 Dec 18

Bill Beaumont: 'Just because it went to France doesn't mean there's humiliation whatsoever.'

'A humiliation? I don't think so'

World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont denied being humiliated after the global game voted against the recommendation and France was named host of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Rugby • 15 Nov 17

Bill Beaumont: 'This has been a very special Women's Rugby World Cup on and off the field.'

Beaumont hails 'special' Dublin as WC heads for Belfast

World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont described Dublin as an "exceptional host" that had created a "special atmosphere" as the Women's Rugby World Cup headed north to Belfast.

Rugby • 19 Aug 17