New Zealand, England and France topped their pool while USA made it through as the fourth ranked team after the pool stages in Dublin.

WRWC 2014 finalists Canada missed out on the last four, after their 48-5 loss to New Zealand earlier in the day saw rivals USA clinch the fourth spot.

You can see a review of all day three’s action here.

In the other placed matches on August 22, Canada will play Wales, hosts Ireland will face Australia, Spain take on Hong Kong and Italy play Japan. The semi-finals, along with Ireland’s match against Australia, will be played at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast while the remaining fixtures will be played at Queens University Belfast.

Tickets for the semi-finals are still available here.

Report courtesy of World Rugby.

Bill Beaumont and Agustín Pichot have been elected World Rugby Chairman and Vice-Chairman, respectively, on an historic day for the international federation in Dublin.

The pair, who stood unopposed, were unanimously voted in by members of World Rugby’s Council in accordance with the bye-laws at its annual meeting. Both World Rugby Hall of Fame inductees, the pair will succeed Chairman Bernard Lapasset and Vice-Chairman Oregan Hoskins, who previously announced they would not seek re-election.

The election comes on an historic day that ushered in the implementation of expanded union representation on Council and the appointment of two independent directors to the federation’s Executive Committee.

RFU and Six Nations Rugby chairman Beaumont, has also been central to World Rugby’s decision-making bodies for more than a decade, served as vice-chairman from 2007 to 2012, and has been a key figure on the World Rugby Council, Executive Committee, Rugby World Cup Board and Rugby Committee bodies. As RFU chairman, Beaumont presided over the delivery of what will be remembered as the biggest and best Rugby World Cup to date.

He was also a decorated player, making his debut for England in 1975 going on to win 34 caps and leading England to their first Grand Slam for 33 years in 1980. Beaumont also played for the British and Irish Lions and later accompanied them as tour manager for the tour to New Zealand in 2005.

Beaumont said: “I am honoured to accept the mandate of Council to serve as World Rugby chairman at what is an exciting and pivotal time for the sport. Rugby has experienced significant and rapid growth, which is a credit to Bernard Lapasset and his leadership over the past eight years.

“The sport is in excellent health and over the next four years there will be many great opportunities to further develop and grow the game. However, we cannot be complacent. Rugby, like all sports, faces challenges and my manifesto outlines the five priorities focused on addressing these. These priorities are continuing to protect players, preserving integrity, enhancing global competition, optimising partnerships and empowering and strengthening unions.

“I will nurture the roots of rugby, our fundamental values and financial security and will make rugby decisions for rugby reasons. As World Rugby Chairman, I will work with unions over the next four years to deliver healthy, sustainable growth for the game we all love.”

With rugby experiencing unprecedented growth in new and emerging markets, Pichot’s election represents the first time that an Argentinian has served as Vice-Chairman and is a significant and proud moment for rugby in South America.

As President of Rugby Americas, a former captain of Argentina’s 15s (71 caps between 1995 and 2007, 28 as captain) and sevens teams and bronze medal winner at Rugby World Cup 2007, Pichot has been a driving force behind the rugby development of Argentina and South America on and off the field. Achievements include The Rugby Championship inclusion, Americas Rugby Championship establishment and the introduction of an Argentinian team in Super Rugby.

Pichot said: “I am honoured and excited to have been elected Vice-Chairman at what is an extremely exciting time for the growth and development of rugby and I would like to thank my Council colleagues and friends for their support and confidence.

“I look forward to working alongside Bill, with the support of the new-look Council and EXCO to serve rugby at all levels, promote inclusivity and equality and ensure that our great sport can continue its record growth into new and emerging rugby nations around the world.”

Outgoing Chairman Lapasset added: “Rugby is in great shape around the world and I am proud that I vacate the position after eight wonderful years, during which we have achieved record participation, increased interest and engagement, Olympic inclusion and record-breaking Rugby World Cups.

“I leave with a dynamic new governance model implemented and I am delighted that my colleague and friend, Bill Beaumont, with a clear vision and strong passion for the global development of rugby, will drive the game into this exciting period. The future is very bright for our sport with the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and a ground-breaking Rugby World Cup in Japan all major milestones before the end of this decade.

“I would like to thank all my colleagues on Council, EXCO, the unions, the World Rugby executive and of course all members of the global rugby family, including players and fans, for their passion, dedication and support during my time as Chairman. It has been an incredible journey.”

Report courtesy of World Rugby

Photo: World Rugby

Stars from the women’s game have joined World Rugby, its regional associations and unions around the world in celebrating International Women’s Day 2016 as the international federation announces further growth in female participation.

With rugby continuing to reach and inspire in record numbers, the latest World Rugby participation figures have revealed almost 310,000 more women took up the sport in 2015, a 17 per cent increase from 2014, while 25 per cent of the total global playing population are female.

Increased investment, development programmes and the continued success of the popular HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series and a record-breaking Rugby World Cup 2015 are among the inspiring factors with 53 per cent of women in the UK saying they had watched RWC 2015.

In a record-breaking year for women’s rugby, an additional 36 per cent of the million children who were introduced to the sport via World Rugby’s Get Into Rugby programme in 2015, run in partnership with unions and local authorities, were girls.

And with the world’s leading women’s stars set to make history when rugby sevens makes its Olympic Games debut in 150 days, these are exciting times for the sport.

New Zealand’s Kendra Cocksedge, World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year in 2015, said: “I love this game so much. It’s given me the most amazing opportunities and experiences from playing alongside great athletes who inspire me every day, to travelling around the world representing my country.

“Through rugby I’ve made friends for life and developed the skills which help me be the best I can be. It’s great to see so many women, young and old, taking up the game in New Zealand and overseas – long may that continue.”

Australia are currently setting the pace in the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series, and Chloe Dalton is a core part of that side: “I think women’s sport in general over the last few years, the growth and professionalism across sports has been amazing.

“Women are performing on the world stage and achieving big things so I’m stoked to be a part of that. We hope that as sevens players we can help to contribute to that growth.”

Women’s Sevens Series News

Ireland full-back Niamh Briggs said: “On International Women’s Day, I’m incredibly proud to say that I am captain of the Ireland women’s team. In a sport that’s growing in numbers, I feel very privileged to lead my country as we build towards hosting Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 here in Ireland.”

Japan player Mateitoga Bogidraumainadave said: “In celebrating another International Women’s Day, I thank all the hard-working women, especially the Japan rugby women’s team, for their togetherness and hard work shown these past few years. I also encourage all women to believe and do your best.”

Follow the road to Rio

World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “International Women’s Day is a fitting opportunity to celebrate women’s rugby, a major sporting success, and the players, coaches, match officials, administrators and volunteers who make such a significant contribution to our great game.

“As rugby continues to reach, engage and inspire new participants and audiences in record numbers, women’s rugby is at the heart of the success story with record participation growth, a thriving HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and Women’s Rugby World Cup and of course Olympic Games inclusion later this year.”

Report courtesy of World Rugby

• Expanded tier two union and regional representation on Council
• Executive Committee to include independent representatives
• Women’s Advisory Committee to be established
• New governance model to operate after May 2016 Council meeting
• Reform follows most successful Rugby World Cup to date and wide consultation
• Rugby experiencing record-breaking global growth with 7.2 million players

The World Rugby Council has approved historic and wide-ranging reform of its governance structures, creating a dynamic environment for wider union and regional representation and an independent skills-based voice on the international federation’s decision-making bodies.

With Rugby World Cup 2015 the most competitive, attended, viewed and connected Rugby World Cup to date, and rugby experiencing unprecedented growth and inspiring new audiences in more nations than ever before, the reforms will increase the number of unions and voting rights on World Rugby’s Council.

Designed to deliver a dynamic and representative decision-making environment, the reforms follow an extensive period of game-wide and external consultation and recognise the enormous contribution that member unions and regions make to the game. Revisions to Council include:

• Subject to meeting dedicated governance criteria (outlined in the notes to editors below), Council voting rights expanded to include unions who have qualified for the previous two Rugby World Cups and additionally unions who have made a major contribution to the growth and development of the game.
• All six regional associations to receive two votes on Council

The World Rugby Executive Committee’s remit and composition will be extended to deliver an even more modern, dynamic and streamlined governance structure and ensure an independent voice through the appointment of skills-based independent directors. The revisions include:

• Executive Committee to comprise 12 members (Chairman, Vice-Chairman, nine elected officials, two of which are independent members, and the Chief Executive)
• All World Rugby standing committees and advisory groups to report to the Executive Committee
• A new dedicated Nominations Committee to make recommendations to the Executive Committee regarding persons to be considered for membership of any World Rugby Committee or Working Group. The nominations committee will be made up of the two independent members from the Executive Committee, the Chairman of World Rugby and an elected member of the Executive Committee. One of the independent members will chair the Nominations Committee.
• Dynamic and streamlined environment to allow the Executive Committee to take any urgent decision between Council meetings. This now includes Laws and Regulations of the game.

A transitional Nominations Committee has been formed to begin the process of identifying the independent directors to be appointed to the Executive Committee, while the changes relating to Council composition and voting rights will be implemented after the May 2016 Annual Meeting of Council following detailed evaluation against the required criteria. This group will be chaired by Peter Sutherland, former European Commissioner, former Attorney General of Ireland and chairman/board member of many major international companies.

These robust reforms, coupled with a revised strategic plan to be launched in 2016, and World Rugby’s vibrant and inclusive new brand, reflect the international federation’s commitment to further the sport’s reach and engage and inspire new participants.

World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “We have enjoyed a very special and record-breaking Rugby World Cup in England and rugby is experiencing record participation growth, media interest and commercial appeal. We are reaching, engaging and inspiring more audiences than ever before. We are redistributing record sums in the development and sustainability of the game. Together we are successful and growing as a sport. That is the best reason for change.

“This exciting new model, developed following extensive review and consultation, will ensure that World Rugby, and by extension, the sport, has the governance structures and tools to support future growth as rugby continues to inspire and thrive.”

The changes follow extensive member union and independent consultation and represent an exciting development for the global rugby family ahead of its Olympic Games return and a first Rugby World Cup in Asia.

The reform programme was overseen by a dedicated governance working group, chaired by World Rugby Vice-Chairman Oregan Hoskins, and comprising Mike Hawker (Australia), Ian Ritchie (England), Steve Tew (New Zealand), Gareth Davies (Wales), Octavian Morariu (Rugby Europe), Pierre Camou (France), Brett Gosper (World Rugby) and Peter Sutherland (Independent).

Working Group Chairman Hoskins added: “Our world is changing rapidly and guided by our values of integrity and respect, we have delivered a dynamic, modernised structure that now opens the way for greater representation within our sport. I would like to thank our membership for their full and open contributions and members of the working group for their commitment to drive positive change for the benefit of the game at all levels.”

With women’s rugby now one of the world’s fastest-growing team sports and more than 1.5 million women and girls regularly participating, a dedicated Women’s Advisory Committee will be established to oversee the implementation of the women’s rugby strategy as the world’s top female players look towards rugby sevens’ debut at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 in Ireland.

Report courtesy of World Rugby