The International Rugby Board has announced that South Africa'sRugby World Cup winning coach Jake White has been appointed to the IRBRugby Committee.

White, widely recognised as one of the finest coaches in the Game, coachedthe Springboks to Rugby World Cup success in France in 2007 and the TriNations title in 2004 during 54 Tests in charge.

"The IRB Council believed that it was important that the RugbyCommittee was expanded to include leading international representativesfrom coaching, playing and women's administration to make informedrecommendations on critical areas of the Game such as player welfare,application of the Laws and coaching techniques," said IRB ChairmanBernard Lapasset.

"There are few better qualified coaches to join the Rugby Committeethan White, who is a Rugby World Cup winner, a Tri Nations winner andtwice IRB Coach of the Year. We are honoured that he has accepted theinvitation and look forward to his invaluable contribution to the IRBRugby Committee and the Game worldwide."

White, IRB Coach of the Year in 2004 and 2007, is already looking forwardto making a contribution to the IRB Rugby Committee when it meets inDublin in October and playing his part in assisting the ongoingdevelopment and growth of the Game around the world.

"It is a massive honour for me to be asked by the IRB Council tojoin the IRB Rugby Committee. Rugby is a sport that is constantly evolvingon and off the field and with that come challenges. As a coach in domesticand international Rugby I have experienced the evolution first hand. I amnow looking forward to using my experience to give something back to theGame through the IRB Rugby Committee," said White.

"The Rugby Committee plays a central role in ensuring that the Sportcontinues to thrive and grow in the safest possible environment using thebest possible techniques for playing, coaching, officiating andadministering the Game. I am excited about the prospect of being involvedin that process."

The IRB Rugby Committee comprises IRB Council members Graham Mourie(Chairman), Chris Le Fevre (Canada), Bill Nolan (Scotland), JohnO'Neill (Australia), David Pickering (Wales) and Pat Whelan(Ireland). White joins Carol Isherwood, a leading figure in theWomen's Game, in being appointed to the Committee. A furtherannouncement detailing the appointment of a former international playerwill be made in the coming days.

"The IRB Rugby Committee pla ys an important role in advising the IRBCouncil on all issues related to playing the Game across the spectrum fromcommunity Rugby up to the professional Game. The personnel who sit on theCommittee have a wealth of knowledge of administrating the Game and theappointment of World Cup winner Jake White, alongside leading figure inthe Women's Game Carol Isherwood and a soon to be named formerInternational player, further strengthens the Committee," said IRBRugby Committee Chairman Graham Mourie.

The IRB Rugby Committee is one of three IRB Standings Committees; theother two are the Audit & Risk Committee and the Regulations Committee.