Andy Cosslett elected RFU chairman

The Rugby Football Union has announced British businessman Andy Cosslett has its new chairman.

The decision came after the conclusion of the RFU Council meeting earlier in the day after he was proposed unanimously by the committee last month.

The 61-year-old, who had previously worked as the chairman of the England Rugby 2015, the committee which organised the World Cup 2015, will now replace newly appointed World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont.

Cosslett has also worked as chief executive in the InterContinental Hotels Group and has taken number of senior roles in Cadbury Schweppes and Unilever.

Cosslett felt honoured to be appointed in the new role and wants to make the optimum use of the resources available.

"I am delighted to be appointed chair of the RFU board. It is a privilege to be involved with this game that has given me so much throughout my life.

"My role is to make sure we have strong governance in the Union, and ensure that we make the most of all the resources we have at our disposal in this country for the good of the game."

Apart from the appointment of Cosslett, RFU Council has also approved a new domestic competition for Women's rugby which will replace the existing Women's Premiership