JOHN JEFFREY, one of Scotland’s 1990 Grand Slam heroes, has been elected chairman of the Six Nations Council for a three-year term. The former flanker replaces Ireland’s Pat Whelan and is the first Scotsman to fill the role since Allan Hosie at the turn of the century.
The 60-year-old takes office at a pivotal point in the tournament’s history, which will inevitably have huge implications for the future of the global game, with it being revealed earlier today that the Six Nations Board are on the precipice of entering into negotiations with CVC private equity firm to sell a 15 percent stake in the Championship in exchange for a figure believed to be in excess of £500 million.
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Jeffrey had a glittering career as a player. He earned 40 caps for Scotland between 1984 and 1991 playing out of Kelso, and was also selected for the British & Irish Lions in 1986 for their match against the Rest of the World and for the 1989 Tour to Australia.
He has been a co-opted member of the Scottish Rugby Council since 2010, and a member of the Six Nations Council since 2012. He has also represented Scottish Rugby at World Rugby since 2010 where he sits on the Executive Committee (from 2016) and chairs the Rugby Committee (from 2013).
However, he has not always been an establishment man. Back in 1988, he served a four-month SRU imposed ban for his involvement in a late-night incident following a Scotland versus England match, during which the Calcutta Cup was damaged.
“It is a privilege to be elected Chairman of the Six Nations Council and to be involved in the development of Rugby’s Greatest Championship,” said Jeffrey. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank my predecessor Pat Whelan for his dedication over the last three years.”
Bernard Laporte (FFR) was also elected Vice Chairman.
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