Italy

Former Wales captain David Pickering has been elected chairman of the Six Nations' Committee.

Pickering, who is also Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chairman, takes over from Frenchman Jacques Laurans and starts his three-year term of office with immediate effect.

Laurans, chairman since September 2002, will remain on the Six Nations Council.

Pickering won 23 caps for Wales between 1983 and 1987, captaining his country eight times. He also served as Wales manager.

He said: "It is an honour to be elected chairman of the Six Nations and a privilege to work with such a dedicated group of people as the Six Nations Council.

"I would like to thank our outgoing chairman, Jacques Laurans, for leading the Six Nations Council through a period of exceptional growth and success."