An inspirational leader of men, Bill Beaumont captained England to the Grand Slam in 1980, which, at the time, was their first clean sweep in 23 years. England’s success made him a natural choice to lead the British and Irish Lions on the tour of South Africa that year. It was his second Lions tour having been called up as a replacement for the series against New Zealand in 1977.

A proud Lancastrian, who represented Fylde and his home county with distinction, Beaumont was a mainstay of the England second row for seven years, failing to miss a single match from his second international appearance against Australia through to his 41st and final test in 1982.

Prior to his appointment as World Rugby Chairman in 2016, Beaumont held a number of important administrative roles, among them Vice-Chairman of World Rugby, team manager of the 2005 Lions and RFU Chairman, and was awarded an OBE in 2008.