Peter Wheeler appointed RFU President
Peter Wheeler will become the President of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) on 1 August 2019, taking over from Chris Kelly.
At the age of 26, he made his England debut as hooker, going on to gain a total of 41 caps, five as England captain.
When the game went professional, in 1996 he became Leicester Tigers Chief Executive, remaining in that role until 2010.
He was then Tigers’ Rugby Director until he retired in 2015, becoming a life member after serving the club for more than 40 years as captain, coach, CEO and President.
Wheeler was inducted into the Premiership Rugby Hall of Fame for his contribution to the professional club game and his role in the game’s development through his work with Tigers, Premiership Rugby, the Rugby Football Union and the Professional Game Board.
“Peter Wheeler has been a tremendous servant of rugby and an outstanding ambassador for our game over many years," said outgoing President Kelly.
"He will be an excellent President as we head into the Rugby World Cup in Japan, a country he knows well.”
Wheeler thanked Kelly for all his work while President. "As RFU President, Chris has travelled the country and beyond, representing the Union and promoting our sport in a season which saw us host New Zealand a century after the Armistice remembering the players from both our nations who sacrificed their lives for our freedom," said Wheeler said of Kelly.
"On behalf of the Union I would like to thank him for all that he has done for the sport.”
