Il Messaggiere - Profiles of candidates for World Rugby chairman election

There are three candidates in the running to take over from the 72-year-old former England international, who has been at the helm for the past eight years.

Here are short profiles of the trio:

Brett Robinson (AUS)

Proposed by Australia, seconded by England

Despite the southern hemisphere's virtual monopoly in winning the sport's showpiece Rugby World Cup, the 54-year-old doctor would be the first candidate from there to be elected chairman.

A former flanker, capped 16 times and the ex-captain of the ACT Brumbies, he has experience in business as well as sports administration and has been a member of World Rugby's executive board since 2016.

A firm believer in speeding up the game, he is an adherent of the time limits on setting up scrums and kicking at goal and the controversial 20 minute red card, which is being trialled at the moment.

Robinson -- who has been a research investigator in a concussion study involving the Queensland Brain Institute -- says his experience in business stands him in good stead for the job of chairman.

"From my experiences in non-executive board roles, chair roles myself, CEO roles, the chair sets the tone for everything," he told New Zealand newspaper The Post in August.

"They're important for the relationship with the executive and getting things done.

"Having an effective chair will allow an effective board. If you've got an ineffective chair, even great directors and a good executive team can be held back and don't achieve their potential."

Abdelatif Benazzi (FRA)

Proposed by France, seconded by South Africa

The 56-year-old Morocco-born former France national captain has by far and away the most distinguished playing career of the trio.

Capped 78 times by his adopted country he more than repaid the judgement of his teacher in Morocco who told him to opt for rugby as he was too big for athletics or football.

Benazzi does not mince his words when addressing the present state of the game globally.

"The alarm has been sounded, the boat is at risk of sinking," he told AFP.

"One can have the impression that when the World Cup comes round, it is a truly global sport.

"In fact it still only concerns certain countries, who have been around for 100 years, and very few others emerge as contenders.

"At the same time these heavyweights have financial problems, the majority have deficits of more than 10 million euros ($10.6 million)."

One of Benazzi's answers to remedy this is to spread the game globally, including to Africa, and not to place all one's hopes on the Rugby World Cup in the United States in 2031 delivering a financial gold mine and breaking open the US market.

"Today 11 countries represent 70 percent of the votes at World Rugby, that breeds conservatism," he said.

He is equally forthright when it comes to condemning the 20-minute red card, a clear divergence from Robinson's take on the measure.

"A red card is a red card, there is no need to confuse the issue," he said.

"That could be a dangerous move for rugby, make it a lot more violent and it is why we are completely opposed to it."

It is not the first time Benazzi and Robinson have competed against each other, having met on the playing field.

"I can't remember if I smashed him with a big tackle," Benazzi joked to the BBC. "Now it is another game between me and him."

Andrea Rinaldo (ITA)

Proposed by Italy, seconded by Ireland

The unknown quantity. The 70-year-old former second row forward was capped four times and has become a renowned hydrologist, winning the 2023 Stockholm Water Prize.

However, he has not been totally lost to the sport as he is on the board of European Professional Club Rugby.

He told The Times he wants to have a more scientific approach to running the sport..

A.Goretti--IM