World Rugby

Nigel Owens backs introduction of 'orange card'

The orange card was one of a slew of reffing recommendations given by World Rugby this week, designed to provide national member unions with further Covid-19 transmission risk reduction measures if required.

The card would see players removed from the field for 15 minutes for certain high tackle offences, but would lead to an automatic citing as is the norm with the traditional red cards. Crucially, the incident could then be reviewed by ‘Hawk Eye’, who could then upgrade the decision to a red card.

Orange card and extended sin bin as World Rugby confirm 10 trial rules

Optional law amendments limiting contact in scrums, the number of players in a maul, and the duration of rucks have also been given the green light by the sport's governing body in the hope of reducing the risk of possible transmission of Covid-19 during the pandemic.

World Rugby confirmed the changes but have left national unions to decide whether to adopt the amendments at elite or community level depending on the prevalence of the virus in their territory and the advice from government and public health authorities. There has already been resistance from New Zealand.

'A massive opportunity will have been missed': Sir Clive Woodward slams Fiji, Samoa, Six Nations for backing World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont

Writing in his Daily Mail column, the ex-British and Irish Lions boss has also grilled the Six Nations for having “let the wider game down” by supporting Beaumont.

An announcement was made over the weekend that Beaumont, the former England and Lions captain, was re-elected as World Rugby chairman after ousting former Argentina skipper Agustin Pichot 28-23 in a one-round vote.

Woodward was scathing in his review of how the voting played out, aiming his criticism at not just Fiji and Samoa, but also fellow tier two nations Japan and Canada for their backing of Beaumont.

World Rugby chairman: ‘Now is not the time for celebration’

Beaumont prevailed by a 28-23 margin to secure a second consecutive four-year term.

Frenchman Bernard Laporte, who was running unopposed, has been elected vice-chairman.

"Now is not the time for celebration. We have work to do," Beaumont said in a statement.

Fans rally behind Manu Tuilagi to vote him as world's best centre ahead of Welsh star

The Samoan-born 28-year-old claimed the victory with a comfortable winning margin of 62 percent on RugbyPass‘ Facebook and Instagram accounts as part of the Straight 8 Fan Vote campaign to determine the best player on the planet in each position.

Tuilagi and Davies were left as the last two players standing in the third and final round of the knockout bracket after having dispatched some household names in the prior two rounds.

World Rugby vote a chance for rethink - Pacific advocacy group

Fiji Rugby's Chairman Francis Kean's nomination for the World Rugby Executive Committee was hastily withdrawn on Tuesday following allegations of homophobia in the Sunday Times and a damning open letter to voting members from Pacific Rugby Players Welfare CEO Leo detailing Kean's political and legal history in Fiji.

The former Navy Commander Kean, who was convicted of manslaughter in 2007, also stood down from the World Rugby Council, with Fiji's seat taken by CEO John O'Connor.

Fiji's Kean steps down during World Rugby investigation

Earlier World Rugby said it was investigating the claims against Francis Kean, who had been one of eight nominees for the seven positions on the influential Executive Committee.

The Sunday Times reported it had heard a recording of Kean while he was in charge of the Fiji prison service, in which the paper alleged homophobic language was used.

World Rugby said it noted the allegations and took them extremely seriously.

Pacific Rugby Player Welfare questions World Rugby

In a letter penned on behalf of PRPW, Leo has asked ‘why does World Rugby have some of the most elaborate and exhaustive eligibility checks for those who play the game but apparently no checks for someone wanting to run the game?’

Kean, whose name was put forward by the Fiji Rugby Union and whose nomination was seconded by the Fédération Française de Rugby (FFR), was convicted of manslaughter in 2006 – but Leo explains that his crimes and conduct are far worse than initially reported.

World Rugby confirms election nominations

In accordance with the World Rugby Bye-Laws, member unions were invited to submit nominations for the position of World Rugby Chairman and/or Vice-Chairman by the closing date of 12 April, 2020. All nominations had to be proposed and seconded by a member union and/or Regional Association.

Pacific stresses caution on World Rugby promises

The incumbent Sir Bill Beaumont is standing for a second four-year term and had promised a major review of the way the governing body is run if re-elected, including a fresh look at eligibility rules which restrict players to representing one country for life.

He is being challenged by his deputy, former Argentina halfback Agustin Pichot, who has proposed a greater voice and more top-level matches for emerging nations, such as Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, and said the Covid-19 pandemic was an opportunity for the global realignment of the sport.