December 11 -  France's Bernard Lapasset (pictured) is set to retain his position as chairman of the International Rugby Board (IRB), defeating his only challenger, former England captain Bill Beaumount, at a vote in Los Angeles tomorrow.

The election for rugby's top administrator was due to have taken place in Auckland ahead of the World Cup final in October, but the meeting broke up in acrimony.

A vote was taken to delay the election until this week at the IRB Council, which has provided more opportunity for some intense lobbying.

Under Lappaset's term at the head of the IRB, he successfully guided rugby sevens bid to gain admission to the Olympic programme for Rio 2016.

If he is re-elected tomorrow then it is widely expected that the 64-year-old Frenchman will promoted to become a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Beaumont, 59, is currently the vice-chairman, and wants to focus on strengthening the top nations who generate the majority of the money rather than trying to broaden the sport's global appeal.

That stance has earned him the support of the Home Unions plus Australia and New Zealand, who believe they will get to retain more of the money that the All Blacks generate within the sport under the financial model favoured by Beaumount.

"This is not about a battle between two men, but a different vision of rugby," said Lapasset.

It is claimed that Lapasset currently holds a 14-12 edge in voting, with backing from North America and Asia.

Asia's decision at a meeting in Laos to elect Japan's Koji Tokumasu as its delegate rather than the Beaumont-supporting Trevor Gregory from Hong Kong leaves the current chairman with a potential majority.

The main remaining hope for Beaumont is to persuade the North America Caribbean Rugby Association to change its mind about backing Lapasset.

It has, since Auckland, switched its representative on the IRB from a Canadian, Pearce Higgins, to an American, Bob Latham.

Canada, which has its own seat on the Council, is backing Beaumont but the United States, grateful for Lapasset helping to secure Olympic status for rugby union, is supporting the Frenchman.

If Beaumont loses, he also faces being voted off the IRB Council.

He could stand again as vice-chairman but there are already two candidates for that role, in Graham Mourie from New Zealand and Oregon Hoskins from South Africa.

By Duncan Mackay

Source: www.insidethegames.biz