WHEELER FAILS TO BECOME CHAIRMAN

Leicester Tigers director Peter Wheeler has failed to become the chairman of European Rugby Cup. The former England hooker lost out to Jean-Pierre Lux, who was appointed to serve a three-year term following a meeting in Dublin.

Lux won through following a ballot of directors from England, France, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Italy.

The Frenchman was first elected as European Rugby Cup independent chairman in 1999.

Lux said: “I am delighted to have received the backing of the ERC board of directors.

“I very much look forward to continue working closely with everyone involved with our two great tournaments [the Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup] in driving European club rugby forward.”