“Rugby Faces Pivotal Leadership Vote: A Call for Fresh Vision as Beaumont’s Successor is Chosen”

**The Breakdown | Rugby Needs a New Global Vision in Key Leadership Election** As rugby union gears up for a series of significant matches this month, the most impactful event may be unfolding in Dublin on Thursday. Delegates from World Rugby will convene to elect a new chair, and the outcome is far from predetermined, a departure from the usual expectations surrounding such votes. The competition to succeed the retiring Bill Beaumont is a three-way race featuring Australia’s Brett Robinson, France’s Abdelatif Benazzi, and Italy’s Andrea Rinaldo, with Robinson currently seen as the leading candidate. To secure victory, a candidate must obtain 27 votes, and insiders suggest that it’s entirely possible for Benazzi to rally additional support after the elimination of one contender in the first round, potentially altering the dynamics of the election. The new chair will inherit a pressing agenda, including the ongoing discussions surrounding the controversial 20-minute red card rule, making this election a pivotal moment for the future of rugby.