Changes to World Rugby Council

A senior figure in the world governing body of rugby union has resigned from an interview panel amid claims that unsuccessful applicants for the post of chief executive were lied to. In his resignation e-mail, Peter Boyle, the former President of the Irish Rugby Football Union, told the executive committee of the International Rugby Board (IRB): “I cannot in all conscience take part in the current interview process. The process in my opinion is fundamentally flawed and not open, fair and transparent.”

E-mails and documents seen by The Times indicate that 12 applicants for the £325,000-a-year post were not properly considered and that a meeting supposedly held to assess their suitability never took place

“The contents of this letter,” Mr Boyle said, “were a total fabrication and lie —no such meeting had even taken place. Following further inquiries it has emerged the recruitment agent agreed the final four candidates with the chairman and they were notified to attend a meeting in London on May 4 and 5 without reference to the other panel members. In my opinion the process is flawed and the reputation of the IRB stands to be damaged. You don’t have a reputation if you do not have integrity and the integrity of the process is clearly flawed.”

The task of finding a chief executive to replace Mike Miller, who left in January, was set in train by Mr Lapasset, the urbane Frenchman who beat England’s Bill Beaumont to the post of chairman. The IRB appointed Odgers Berndtson, the respected London headhunters, to lead the search. More than 20 candidates applied and 16 were considered suitably qualified. In April, this was whittled down to a shortlist of four who were recommended for interview by a panel comprised of Mr Lapasset, Oregan Hoskins, the vice-chairman, and Mr Boyle. Mr Lapasset and Mr Hoskins responded to Mr Boyle’s accusations by e-mail to the executive committee. They urged that to get “this critical search back on track”, Mr Boyle’s resignation should be accepted. But they rejected his assertions about a lack of integrity. Mr Lapasset will still lead the panel but with two new members assisting him.

No 7&1/2 wrote:Good to place more emphasis on the womens game anyway. We've had the womens 6 nations follow on from the mens game at Twickenham a couple of times now, helping raise the profile. Ex Players like Alphonsi have really added to the analysis teams as well. Surely one of the main parts of the game a lot more effort needs to go into given the public campaigns around the women can thing.

No 7&1/2 wrote:Prefer full rugby either way. 7s is just a bit meh for me. Standard is much better than womens football for me and generally enjoy it when i've seen it.