World Rugby has confirmed the full list of executive committee nominations for the organisation's May elections.
Incumbent chairman Bill Beaumont is being challenged for the top job by his current vice-chairman, Agustin Pichot.
Bernard Laporte is the sole candidate for vice-chairman and the Frenchman has already begun floating some radical proposals in the lead-up to the election.
Interestingly, Rugby Australia is one of the unions to endorse Pichot's nomination, along with Sudamerica Rugby.
Union Argentina de Rugby has endorsed Australia's Brett Robinson as one of eight potential candidates for the Executive Committee, which has seven spots available for the next four-year term.
Australia and Argentina's reciprocal support is interesting in light of Argentina's reported decision to pull out of bidding for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Pichot told News Corp this week that Argentina has spoken with Australia and decided against pursuing a bid for the next World Cup.
Rugby Australia is currently the most high-profile contender for the 2027 tournament after USA Rugby declared bankruptcy last month.
World Rugby's elections will take place on May 12.
NOMINEES
Chairman
Sir Bill Beaumont is standing for a second term and has been nominated and proposed by the Fédération Française de Rugby and seconded by the Fiji Rugby Union.
Vice-Chairman Agustín Pichot (Union Argentina de Rugby) was nominated and proposed by Unión Argentina de Rugby and seconded by Rugby Australia and Sudamérica Rugby.
Vice-Chairman
Fédération Française de Rugby President Bernard Laporte has been nominated and proposed by the Rugby Football Union and seconded by Federația Română de Rugby .
Where contested, Chairman and Vice-Chairman candidates must achieve a simple majority of the votes held by the members of Council present, in line with the electoral process set out under the bye-law. The vote numbers will be published.
World Rugby Executive candidates
Mark Alexander (South African Rugby Union), nominated and proposed by Rugby Africa and the South African Rugby Union and seconded by New Zealand Rugby and the South African Rugby Union.
Khaled Babbou (Rugby Africa), nominated and proposed by Rugby Africa and seconded by the South African Rugby Union and the Fédération Française de Rugby.
Bart Campbell (New Zealand Rugby), nominated and proposed by New Zealand Rugby and seconded by the South African Rugby Union.
Gareth Davies (Welsh Rugby Union), nominated and proposed by the Scottish Rugby Union and seconded by the Welsh Rugby Union.
John Jeffrey (Scottish Rugby Union), nominated and proposed by the Welsh Rugby Union and seconded by the Irish Rugby Football Union.
Ratu Vilikesa Bulewa Francis Kean (Fiji Rugby Union), nominated and proposed by the Fiji Rugby Union and seconded by the Fédération Française de Rugby.
Bob Latham (USA Rugby), nominated and proposed by USA Rugby and seconded by Rugby Americas North.
Brett Robinson (Rugby Australia), proposed and nominated by Rugby Australia and seconded by the Unión Argentina de Rugby.
