Leicester director Peter Wheeler has failed in his attempt to become chairman of European Rugby Cup (ERC), with Jean Pierre-Lux re-elected to the role.
Wheeler, the former England hooker, stood against Lux, who was first elected as ERC's independent chairman in 1999.
The French official was elected to serve a further three-year term following an ERC board meeting in Dublin on Wednesday when directors from England, France, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Italy were balloted.
Only Lux, who won 47 caps for France as a centre between 1967 and 1975, and Wheeler, an ERC director, made themselves available for election.
"I am delighted to have received the backing of the ERC board of directors," Lux said. "I very much look forward to continue working closely with everyone involved with our two great tournaments [Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup] in driving European club rugby forward."
