Here are the 3 candidates in line to replace Bill Beaumont as World Rugby chairman

The race to succeed Bill Beaumont as chairman of World Rugby comes to a conclusion in a vote in Dublin at the governing body's headquarters on Thursday.

The 72-year-old former England international has been at the helm for the past eight years.

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Here are short profiles of the trio set to replace him:

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