World Rugby getting ready to appoint Alan Gilpin as new chief executive after Englishman gains the backing of chairman Bill Beaumont for the role
- World Rugby is looking set to appoint Alan Gilpin as its new chief executive
- Gilpin reportedly has the backing of World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont
- Exeter Chiefs cancel match against Toulouse after coronavirus outbreak at club
World Rugby are expected to confirm the appointment of an English chief executive next month, with Alan Gilpin emerging as the preferred candidate for chairman Bill Beaumont.
Sportsmail understands Beaumont and vice-chairman Bernard Laporte strongly favour Gilpin as the in-house successor to Brett Gosper, to such an extent that there have been attempts to fast-track him into the top job.
The global governing body’s executive committee have insisted on a proper recruitment process and a head-hunting firm have been hired, but it is still regarded as a formality that Gilpin will be installed.
Alan Gilpin has emerged as the preferred candidate to become the next head of World Rugby
He has been head of Rugby World Cup since 2014 and World Rugby’s chief operating officer since 2016. Sources have indicated the Exeter University law graduate – who lists his sporting passions as Liverpool FC and Gloucester RFC – has set his sights on succeeding Australian Gosper and he will move on if not appointed. This is a particular concern to Laporte, who is thought to regard Gilpin as vital to France’s quest to deliver a successful and lucrative World Cup in 2023.
Gosper has been in the post since 2012 and is leaving to take charge of the NFL in Europe at a time of major financial turmoil in rugby. Even the strongest unions are facing savage losses due to Covid, while there are growing pressures for the sport to expand and undergo vital governance reform. Urgent priorities for Gilpin, if he is appointed, will be to revive global season plans and address player welfare concerns, Test revenue share and eligibility rules.
Meanwhile, Exeter’s hopes of retaining their European Champions Cup have been dealt a serious blow after Sunday’s cancelled match against Toulouse was recorded as a bonus-point, 28-0 win to the French side.
Gilpin reportedly has the backing of World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont to take the position
Rob Baxter’s Chiefs were due to face their leading Gallic opposition at Stade Ernest Wallon, but were unable to fulfil the fixture due to a major Covid outbreak among their squad and staff.
Tournament organisers EPCR on Friday night confirmed that a committee had ruled ‘Toulouse were deemed to be the winners’ and were duly awarded five points.
Due to the abbreviated nature of this season’s pool stage – and despite their 42-0 opening victory over Glasgow – Exeter now face a struggle to qualify for the quarter-finals.
They must win convincingly in Glasgow and at home to Toulouse next month, and hope that other results fall in their favour.
In addition to the Toulouse-Exeter ruling, EPCR announced the ‘result’ of the other cancelled matches.
Bonus-point wins were awarded to La Rochelle and Lyon, as Bath and Glasgow are unable to fulfil their fixtures this weekend due to Covid.
Rob Baxter’s Exeter Chiefs had their game cancelled vs Toulouse because of a Covid outbreak
The Champions Cup chaos intensified on Friday night when Toulon pulled out of their encounter with the Scarlets in Llanelli just hours before the match was due to kick off.
One of the Welsh region’s players tested positive for Covid and two others were removed on contact tracing grounds, but after a review of all the procedures, EPCR announced that the game could go ahead safely.
However, Toulon were unconvinced. Organisers offered them the option of delaying the fixture until Sunday and calling up additional players, but the French club refused and opted to return home.
While the match was provisionally postponed, in reality it is cancelled and the points will be awarded to the Scarlets.
Premiership Rugby have announced a new three-year TV rights deal with BT Sport, which will see up to 69 league and 11 cup games per season screened by the broadcaster, to continue the established partnership with the English top flight until 2024.