The Hall of Fame recognises the achievements of individuals and organisations that have made "outstanding contributions to the development of the game worldwide," and this year participants from various British and Irish Lions tours to Australia were inducted.

Gregan captained his country to victories in the 1999 World Cup and 2001 Lions tour before missing out in the tightest of extra-time circumstances in the 2003 World Cup final against England.

Mark Ella and David Campese were among five other Australian inductees, while Irish hooker Ronnie Dawson and Scottish star Gavin Hastings - who joked that this would be the first time his country had won something for a while - were among the Lions recipients.

Another highlight of the evening was the arrival of the World Cup winners trophy in the hands of New Zealand captain who passed the trophy to IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset.

Richie McCaw hands the World Cup winners trophy back to IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset ©Getty Images


McCaw admitted that "it is a funny old thing to hand it back", but that "every time I see the Cup I always get reminded of the amount of energy and what you have got to put in to winning the thing."

"Having to hand it back has probably been a reminder to myself what happens in two years' time as a lot of work needs to go in again," he added.

"Looking forward to [England] 2015 it will take the same amount of that type of work and attitude and everything coming together."

Bernard Lapasset had a busy day after opening the inaugural World Rugby Conference and Exhibition ©Getty Images


This optimism looking ahead to the next World Cup in England was repeated by Lapasset who described it as "an event that is on track to welcome new members to the rugby family from new communities across the host nation and beyond."

Major events in rugby, including the 2015 World Cup, was among the themes under discussion on the opening day here, with anti-doping and sport and the digital environment other subject matters.