10 priorities for the top man’s in-tray

Stop unions from bankruptcy in lockdown

The United States union has already gone, while finances of Rugby Australia are on a knife edge.

Create a global calendar

It really is now or never for World Rugby to bring the northern and

Make peace between north and south

With the Six Nations all behind Bill Beaumont and Rugby Championship teams backing Agustin Pichot, plenty of bridges will need constructing.

Make peace with the clubs Many are furious about a lack of consultation. Any integrated calendar will need buy-in of the English and French clubs.

Deliver on promise to change eligibility rules

Do not just look at it, but change the laws so that discarded players such as Charles Piutau (left) can represent Tonga. Give tier-two teams a leg up Whether through a revived Nations

Championship or something else, there needs to be a pathway for tier-two teams to regularly play tier-one opposition.

Safeguard player welfare

With clubs and unions alike desperate to stage as many games as possible once the lockdown ends, players’ welfare must not be pushed past breaking point.

Reform governance structure For starters, introduce a fit-and-proper persons test for council members and end the four-day period for voting, which encourages horse-trading.

Make next year’s Women’s World Cup biggest yet

After doing such a good job promoting the men’s World Cup in Japan last year (left), the 2021 tournament in New Zealand needs a similar platform.

Protect the British and Irish Lions

Too often it is the Lions’ summer tour that suffers in calendar negotiations between clubs and unions.