Here are the morning rugby headlines for September 25.
Fighting for rugby’s top job
The battle for the biggest job in rugby world is on after the nomination process opened to choose president Sir Bill Beaumont’s successor for the 2024 World Rugby elections.
With Beaumont forced to step down after eight years in charge, the future direction of rugby is uncertain. The race to become the sport’s most powerful figure is properly underway, just days after favourite John Jeffrey sensationally quit the race and the sport, with his own Scottish Rugby Union refusing to support him.
Scottish legend Jeffrey, who has taken on the role of World Rugby vice president, has spoken out following the shock announcement, revealing he is angry and upset by the “betrayal”. You can read the full story here . It is currently unclear who the main contenders for the role will be.
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Nominations are open until October 15, with elections to be held in Dublin on November 14. The 52 members of the World Rugby Council will vote for a new President, Vice President and Board members. The vote will be by secret ballot.
Beaumont, who succeeded Bernard Lapasset as President in July 2016, is no longer holding out after serving a maximum of two terms.
Candidates for the role must be members of the World Rugby Council and nominated by a member union or regional association. All nominated candidates will be independently vetted by the World Rugby Independent Ethics Officer, a position introduced as part of the new integrity code in 2022.
World star has fear of axe
Fiji’s world star Semi Radradra fears he may never play international rugby again after defying the Fiji Rugby Union.
Radradra is part of a group of senior players who have come forward to blow the whistle on alleged corruption, mismanagement and player welfare issues at the top of their country’s sport, with players almost going on strike over issues including the Rugby World Cup.
Players have called for complete change at the top of the organisation and Radradra now fears reprisals ahead of the autumn tour of the northern hemisphere, where Warren Gatland’s team face Wales in their first autumn international on November 10.
He told FijiLive: “We have put our careers on the line to speak for our brothers who wear the white jersey. We expect there to be some ripples after we speak. It is likely that this is the last time we have worn the white jersey and we may never wear it again.
“Some of the things we say will be felt at the management level. But we are doing it for the betterment of Fiji rugby.”
England appoint new manager
England are on the verge of appointing former Caerphilly and Bristol player Joe El-Abd as their new defence coach.
According to the BBC, the former winger, who is currently head coach at French side Oyonnax, will replace the much-admired Felix Jones following his shock decision to resign this summer.
Al-Abd, 44, was seen as the favourite for the role after Felix Jones’ shock resignation last month, with Paul Gustard previously also among the candidates.
El-Abd made more than 100 appearances for Bristol in the 2000s, as well as playing for Caerphilly in the Welsh top-flight, and Toulon and Oyonnax in France.
She had previously lived with England manager Steve Borthwick while studying at the University of Bath.
Al-Abd is expected to take up his new role ahead of England’s training camp at the end of October and their autumn matches against New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Japan.
UK man’s neck injury under investigation
By Andrew Baldock, PA Rugby Union Correspondent
England scrum-half Alex Mitchell will see a specialist on Thursday to assess the extent of a neck problem that has kept him out of action this season.
Mitchell was ruled out of Northampton’s Gallagher Premiership opener at Bath last Friday after being dropped from the Saints’ starting line-up in their final pre-season friendly against Bedford a week ago.
Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson said Mitchell suffered a blow to the neck immediately after the Bath game and the club were awaiting scan results.
Saints continue their Premier League campaign when they host Exeter on Saturday, but Mitchell is unlikely to be in the running.
“He’ll see a specialist again on Thursday so there will be more updates in terms of timeline and status,” Dowson told reporters at his pre-match press conference.
Mitchell, who has won 18 international caps, is currently England’s clear first choice.
Head coach Steve Borthwick will be keeping a close eye on developments ahead of the opening game of the autumn series against New Zealand with less than six weeks to go.
In-form Bath captain Ben Spencer, who sat on the bench for Mitchell in the two summer Tests against the All Blacks, provides a quality backup.
But Mitchell has made that position his own under Borthwick and a long-term departure would be a major blow to club and country.