Sports

Beaumont pledges World Rugby review in re-election bid

Published

6 years ago

April 14, 2020

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.

– ‘Virus is greatest challenge’ –

“For rugby to thrive we need for it to grow into a global sport and move beyond its traditional territories,” Beaumont said Tuesday.

“To achieve this we need a coherent and meaningful global calendar that supports those at the top of the game and develops those aspiring to be there,” the 68-year-old former lock insisted.

The global outbreak of the coronavirus, which has led to the shutdown of most major sport worldwide, threatens to have a huge impact on rugby union as finances from international matches help subsidise all levels of the game.

Rugby Australia alone is forecasting losses of some $74 million if their entire season, which includes Tests against Ireland and Fiji in July, is wiped out.

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Doubts also remain over whether lockdown restrictions imposed by national governments in response to the health threat posed by COVID-19 will have eased sufficiently for spectators to be allowed to attend the money-spinning November Tests in Europe.

“World Rugby needs to review its financial policies and not rely on those who have traditionally underpinned the game,” said Beaumont, who labelled the coronavirus as “the greatest challenge rugby has faced in recent years”.

Pichot, 45, announced his challenge on Sunday and promptly received backing from former England coach Clive Woodward, who played Test rugby alongside Beaumont.

Former Pumas scrum-half Pichot said the coronavirus provided an opportunity for the “global realignment” of the game, insisting now was the right moment for rugby’s commercial income to be “moving on from the time where those benefits were for just a few”.

The election is due to take place by electronic ballot on April 26, with the results announced on May 12.

Sports

Transfer: Gabriel Jesus Could Leave Arsenal as Napoli Show Interest

Published

1 week ago

August 8, 2026

Our Reporter

Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus could leave the club this summer, with Italian side Napoli reportedly interested in signing the Brazilian forward.

According to Sky Italia, Napoli’s new manager, Massimiliano Allegri, is a long-term admirer of Jesus and is keen to explore the possibility of bringing him to Serie A.

Jesus and Allegri share the same agent, Giovanni Branchini, who was reportedly spotted at Napoli’s pre-season training camp in Castel di Sangro on Friday.

A meeting could reportedly take place to discuss a potential move for the Arsenal forward.

Napoli’s interest could depend on their ability to offload one of their existing strikers. The club would reportedly need to find new destinations for Lorenzo Lucca, who spent last season on loan at Nottingham Forest, or Romelu Lukaku before making a move for Jesus.

Arsenal are reportedly willing to consider offers of around £18 million for the 29-year-old, who has entered the final year of his contract with the Gunners.

Jesus joined Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022 and could now be heading for a new challenge in Italy if Napoli’s interest develops into a formal transfer.

Sports

Transfer: Liverpool Agree Loan Deal for Barcelona Defender Araujo

Published

1 week ago

August 8, 2026

Our Reporter

Liverpool have reportedly reached an agreement with Barcelona to sign Uruguay international Ronald Araujo on loan.

According to Sky Sports, the deal could be completed this weekend, with the 27-year-old defender set to move to Anfield on a straight loan arrangement.

Araujo renewed his Barcelona contract last year, extending his stay at the Catalan club until 2031.

However, the defender endured a difficult campaign last season and was subsequently granted an extended leave of absence from the team.

The proposed move to Liverpool would give Araujo an opportunity to revive his career in a new league and country.

The Uruguay international joined Barcelona from Uruguayan club Boston River in 2018 before making his first-team breakthrough a year later.

Sports

LaLiga: Mourinho Introduces Four New Rules at Real Madrid

Published

1 week ago

August 8, 2026

Our Reporter

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly introduced a series of new rules at the club after identifying what he considered bad habits within the dressing room.

Mourinho returned to the Spanish giants for a second spell this summer and has already begun implementing changes to improve discipline and professionalism within the squad, according to AS.

One of the new measures concerns players’ diets. The Portuguese manager has reportedly ended the freedom for players to eat whatever they choose, with the club’s nutritionist now responsible for overseeing their meals.

Under the new system, menus will be carefully structured and determined according to the nutritional needs of the players.

Mourinho has also introduced a disciplinary measure for players who arrive late to training. Such players will reportedly be required to undergo individual gym sessions.

Another rule concerns injury rehabilitation. Players recovering from injuries will now be expected to complete their rehabilitation at the club’s training ground under the supervision of Real Madrid’s medical and fitness staff rather than working independently with external personnel.

The changes are part of Mourinho’s reported efforts to establish greater discipline and control within the Real Madrid squad following his return to the club.