Beaumont appointed World Rugby Chairman

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Former England captain Bill Beaumont will replace Bernard Lapasset as chairman of World Rugby from July 1, while Agustin Pichot has been elected vice-chairman, the sport's governing body said in a statement on Wednesday.

Beaumont, currently the Rugby Football Union (RFU) chairman, has been central to World Rugby's decision-making bodies, including the executive committee, for more than a decade, and served as vice-chairman from 2007 to 2012.

"The sport is in excellent health and over the next four years there will be many great opportunities to further develop and grow the game. However, we cannot be complacent," said Beaumont, who led England to the grand slam in 1980.

Pichot, who will take over from Oregan Hoskins also on July 1, is currently president of Rugby Americas.

(Reporting by Shravanth Vijayakumar in Bengaluru; editing by Ken Ferris)