Pickering, who is also Welsh Rugby Union chairman, takes over from Jacques Laurans and starts his three-year term of office with immediate effect.

Frenchman Laurans, chairman since September 2002, will remain on the RBS 6 Nations Council.

Pickering won 23 caps for Wales between 1983 and 1987, captaining his country eight times. He also served as Wales manager.

He said: “It is an honour to be elected chairman of the Six Nations and a privilege to work with such a dedicated group of people as the Six Nations Council.

“I would like to thank our outgoing chairman, Jacques Laurans, for leading the Six Nations Council through a period of exceptional growth and success.”