Beaumont gets top rugby job

Paris - Former England captain Bill Beaumont was on Wednesday elected as chairperson of the Six Nations Council.

Beaumont, who lost out to France's Bernard Lapasset in his bid to become president of the International Rugby Board (IRB) last December, succeeds David Pickering of Wales.

His three year term of office begins immediately.

Ireland's Pat Whelan was elected as Six Nations vice-chairperson, also with immediate effect.

The pair were named in their new positions at a meeting of Six Nations organisers in Rome.