IRB delay announcement of new chairman

The International Rugby Board has deferred the election of its chairman and vice-chairman positions until December.

Former England captain and current IRB vice-chairman Bill Beaumont was due to stand against incumbent chairman Bernard Lapasset at today's IRB Council meeting in Auckland.

But the meeting has been now been adjourned until December. An election has to be held before January 1.

Beaumont is thought to have gathered strong support for his candidacy.

In a statement, the IRB said: "The decision was taken after a resolution was passed to defer the vote until after the completion of Rugby World Cup 2011.

"Both candidates (Lapasset and Beaumont) and Council were in agreement that in future the election of chairman should not take place during Rugby World Cup, but should take place at the IRB annual meeting of Council in the year following rugby's showcase tournament."

PA