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World Rugby statement: Gill Whitehead appointed for World Cup 2025

The England and New Zealand teams walk out for the 2021 final (Photo by Hannah Peters/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Gill Whitehead has been appointed independent chair of the Rugby World Cup 2025 board of directors, marking a major milestone in tournament planning. A joint venture between World Rugby and the RFU, with funding from the UK Government, Rugby World Cup 2025 will usher in a new era as the first Rugby World Cup to be delivered under World Rugby’s new hosting model.

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A statement read: “Gill Whitehead will bring an impressive wealth of leadership and executive board experience in the media and technology sectors with the likes of Google, the BBC and Channel 4 and considerable non-executive experience spanning FTSE 100 companies and the British Olympic Association.

“As independent chair, Whitehead will preside over a board structure that comprises World Rugby, RFU and UK Government nominated representatives and a further skills-based independent director. The board composition will be announced in due course.

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“The new board structure will enable all stakeholders to maximise key objectives that will underpin a clear vision for the tournament to be the biggest and best women’s rugby event ever, elevating women in rugby on a global basis, delivering a lasting legacy, championing sustainability and delivering an exceptional fan experience.

“With a passion for women’s sport and in particular women’s rugby, Whitehead played rugby to a representative level and can be found on the touchline of Beaconsfield RFC, where she has been involved in youth rugby at the club as an RFU level two coach.

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“Following a very special and record-breaking New Zealand tournament that raised the bar in performance, attendance and engagement outcomes, Rugby World Cup 2025 aims to set new standards in rugby event hosting on and off the field as an inspirer of fan and participation growth, an agent for positive change and the biggest women’s rugby event ever organised with 16 teams battle to be crowned world champions.”

Whitehead said: “It is a dream come true to help bring the next women’s Rugby World Cup to England. Building on the Lionesses at the Euros to the thrilling final between the Red Roses and Black Ferns at Eden Park, England 2025 represents a real opportunity to further inspire girls, women and communities across the UK and globe, and to once again illustrate the sheer excitement, enjoyment and excellence that women’s sport offers.”

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World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont added: “When we announced England as the host nation for Rugby World Cup 2025, we knew we would be breaking new ground as the first event to be organised under the revised Rugby World Cup model and at a time when interest and participation in women’s sport, and women’s rugby, is on a massive high.

“Working in full partnership with the RFU and UK Government, we have set the bar high in terms of what success looks like and central to achieving this ambition is the appointment of Gill Whitehead as independent chair of the board of directors. We are delighted to be welcoming someone of her calibre to preside over the planning and preparation for what will be a transformative Rugby World Cup.

“In addition to Gill’s impressive leadership credentials, she has a proven track record in digital transformation, data analytics and insight, advertising and diversity and inclusion – all central to the delivery of what we believe will be the biggest and most impactful women’s rugby event of all time, advancing the profile, reach and inspiration of women’s sport in England and across the globe.”

RFU chair Tom Ilub said: “It’s our collective ambition to deliver a truly game-changing tournament that inspires a generation of players both in England and around the globe to get involved in rugby. We look forward to working with Gill, whose business acumen and passion for rugby are clear, in achieving this ambition through Rugby World Cup 2025.”

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H
Hellhound 31 minutes ago
South Africa will beat England at a canter

You forget that this was the 3rd Test between the AB's and the English this year. They were prepared and they knew how to keep NZ quiet. The Boks is not NZ.


The Boks is a whole other level. You overestimate England and underestimate the Boks. Clearly you haven't really looked at the teams. Besides the Irish games earlier this year, the Boks have mainly used experimental sides, even against the AB's.


Now they have chosen their best team available. They have targeted this game. The Boks mean business. Man for man, this Bok team is better. In strategy and player abilities there is no comparison and they are outmatched.


There isn't just monster strength, but unreal speed. In broken play there is currently no better team as well as defensively, not to even talk about the attacking threat, both from front and the back.


I'd say read between the lines, see what everyone is seeing, but clearly you are wearing blinders and is also putting too much emphasis on an AB's team the Boks beat twice this year, the same AB's that beaten England 3 times this year.


When Rassie gets serious, the players become machines. There is no stopping them. That bench is loaded with players that is fast, strong and have exceptional skills. This is a team not many teams will face before the 2027 WC, because the Boks doesn't use their best between WC's in one game. All experimental.


You will be proven wrong on Saturday and then you will wonder how you could have been so wrong. This Bok team means serious business. They came to conquer and not just by a close score. They want to demolish and they will. This England team at most is a 60 min team. Against the Boks that just won't cut it

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H
Hellhound 47 minutes ago
South Africa will beat England at a canter

Not bizarre, but needed. Everyone usually lifts their game against the Boks. Now instead of facing reality, they prefer to live in the past and look hopefully toward the score of the WC semi, hoping they can recreate that result and by some miracle snatch a victory.


It's better than the alternative knowing what is going to happen. Especially looking at the experimental squads the Boks put up against the Wallabies in the RC, not using their best team. That same Wallabies beat them last week.


Now the Boks isn't using an experimental squad. They put out as close to the strongest team the Boks have available at the moment. That must scare the pants off of them. If an experimental squad can destroy the Wallabies, what would the strongest team be able to do to the English?


Instead of sinking into dispear, they prefer to hope that their players can match the Boks. Even though they know what is coming. The English are scared and they won't show it.


Now imagine how Wales must feel knowing they are up next weekend? They don't even have the dubious record of at least close losses like the English. It's a complete nightmare for these 2 countries and rightly so.


The Boks usually take the pedal of the medal post WC's, but not this Bok team. They are better than the WC winning Boks of both '19 and '23. They are stronger up front. They are faster at the back. They can hit front and back. In broken play they are the most dangerous team. They have the best defence and attack also scoring the most tries.


In a way I feel sorry for both the English and Wales. Only those with blinders on expects a close game. Looking at both teams man to man, strategy to strategy, play to play, they are so outmatched it would be a joke if it wasn't so serious. We need the NH to be strong and we need the gap to become closer in rugby so the game stay exciting because runaway scores sometimes is fun, but it doesn't bring as much joy as a close game won.

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