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The three unions took their place in May, having successfully achieved all the required good governance criteria as stipulated within the bye-laws announced at the time of the governance launch in November 2015. Inclusion comes as an inspiration for other unions aspiring to take a seat at Council with a clear and transparent pathway for all now operational. Other amendments to the composition of Council during 2016 included: • Georgia, Romania and the USA will be entitled to one representative • Argentina and Italy gained a second representative• At its interim meeting, the World Rugby Council approved additional vote rights for nine unions (with no additional representative) following a full review of applications against clear criteria set out in Bye-Law 9.1(f) by the Nominations Committee. The unions who receive an additional vote are Australia, England, Georgia, Romania and the USA were welcomed onto the World Rugby Council, while the federation also welcomed its first independent directors during an historic year of governance reform implementation in 2016.THREE UNIONS WELCOMED ONTO COUNCILLEFTGeorgia have made huge strides on and off the pitchFrance, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa and Wales.World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Georgia, Romania and the USA to Council for the first time today. These are unions who have contributed so much to the game and are making massive strides on and off the field. I know that they will make a strong contribution as we grow the sport together.“Their inclusion shows that the pathway is in place and the door open to other unions who aspire to have a seat on Council. It is an inspiration and we encourage all unions to take inspiration from Georgia, Romania and the USA, review their governance and strive to achieve the required criteria.“World Rugby is committed to the sustainable growth of the sport set against a backdrop of transparency, integrity and strong governance and we will continue to work with our unions to ensure that they have all the necessary support to achieve and maintain the necessary criteria moving forward.”World Rugby’s Nominations Committee will be considering applications from additional Council applicants at its May 2017 annual meeting.FIRST INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS JOIN EXPANDED EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEWith pro-active reform central to World Rugby ensuring dynamic, accountable and transparent governance structures, the federation welcomed the appointment of its first independent directors, Wendy Luhabe and Lord Mervyn Davies, onto its Executive Committee.With the Executive Committee having widened decision-making powers, the pair bring a wealth of major global business experience to the expanded committee elected in May, while Gareth Davies (Wales) was elected in November, replacing South Africa’s Oregan Hoskins who stepped down after 10 years on the decision-making body.10 WORLD RUGBY YEAR IN REVIEW 2016INFORM | NEWS