Peter Baines co-founder of St. Albans RFC, former Hertfordshire representative on the RFU Council and Vice President of the RFU picks up the mantle of President from the 1st August 2016.

He was an RFU Management Board member for 10 years and Chairman of the Finance and Funding, and Governance Standing Committees. He was also a founder trustee of the Injured Players Foundation and chaired the RFU for Women Integration Task Group, helping ensure a smooth integration of the women's game with the RFU. He is currently Chairman of the Agents Review Board.

Looking ahead to his term in office Peter said: "Jason Leonard has been, and will continue to be, a brilliant ambassador for the game, and on behalf of the Union, I would like to thank him for all he has done for the sport.

"One of the greatest joys of the vice-presidency over the last two years has been visiting clubs , schools and constituent bodies across the country and meeting people who freely commit so much of their time and effort for the good of the game, and I'm looking forward to continuing that over the next year."

Peter succeeds Jason Leonard OBE who was appointed RFU President in June 2015.

This is a marvellous and well deserved achievement for Peter, and St. Albans RFC wish him well in his term as President. There are still a number of us who can recall Peter playing full back for St. Albans in the early days when we played in Verulamium park, who would have thought then where his abilities would take him.

Well done Peter we are all very proud of what you have achieved!