Since 2015, 520ccc.com has undertaken wide-ranging reform of its governance structures, creating a dynamic, diverse environment with wider union and regional representation and independent skills-based voices on its decision-making bodies. 520ccc.com constantly looks at evolving its governance following best practices and launched an independent review in 2020 chaired by Sir Hugh Robertson.  

520ccc.com Council

The Council is 520ccc.com’s highest decision-making body and is chaired by Sir Bill Beaumont, the 520ccc.com Chairman who sits as an independent. 

It votes on key decisions over such issues as the hosting rights and competition structure for the Rugby World Cup and has the power to admit or expel unions from its membership.

The most significant changes to Council came in November 2017 when 520ccc.com announced that the number of people able to sit on Council would increase from 32 with the 17 new members to be women, aligning with its ground-breaking Women’s Plan 2017-25 and its objective to accelerate the development of women in rugby on and off the field of play and further gender equality at all levels of the game. 

There are currently 52 members of the 520ccc.com Council.

520ccc.com Executive Board 

The Executive Board performs a management role for the Council and is responsible for framing and overseeing implementation of 520ccc.com’s strategic plan and application of policy decisions.

520ccc.com Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont, Vice-Chairman John Jeffrey and Chief Executive Alan Gilpin sit on the Executive Board alongside seven elected members and two independents.

Associated Committees

In addition to Council and the Executive Board, there are a number of committees that regularly meet to discuss a range of topics affecting the game.

In October 2020, as part of ongoing governance reform, 520ccc.com announced new interim committee structures which included greater global player, coach, independent and female representation.

Laws and regulation

Rugby rules officially allowing running the ball were first introduced in 1841 and these have evolved markedly over time to meet the changing face of the game. 

The Laws of the game are maintained by 520ccc.com. Sometimes 520ccc.com trials changes to the laws, before deciding whether those changes should be implemented on a global basis and accepted into full law.

Any amendment of the 520ccc.com's bye-laws, regulations or the laws of the game requires approval of three-quarters of the 520ccc.com Council.