Beaumont, Whelan land Six Nations roles

Rugby:Former Ireland hooker Pat Whelan has been announced as the new the vice-chairman of the Six Nations Council, under one-time England captain Bill Beaumont.

The appointments were ratified in Rome yesterday, where Whelan and the chairman began their three-year terms with immediate effect.

Whelan, from Limerick, won 19 caps for Ireland between 1975 and 1981 and has been a lifelong Garryowen club member. He also represented Munster and was a member of the side that defeated New Zealand in 1978 in Thomond Park.

He has played key roles in various administrative positions within Irish rugby, including as selector and manager to the Ireland team, and was instrumental in the development of the professional game in Ireland.

Beaumont succeeds Welshman David Pickering, who will remain on the council as Welsh Rugby Union representative.

“It is a privilege to be involved with the biggest annual rugby competition in the world," he said. “I would like to thank the outgoing chairman, David Pickering, for his work over the last four years, and I look forward to working with him and the rest of the council.”