"Hardly a role model" - Fans react to Stuart Hogg being included on New Years Honours

Leading the pack is Millie Bright, the valiant captain during the World Cup, who clinches the title of OBE. Joining the ranks of honorees are Mary Earps and Lauren Hemp, both esteemed with the coveted MBE designation.

Stuart Broad, whose cricketing career concluded post the Ashes in July, ascends to the rank of CBE.

The New Year Honours continue to unveil accolades for outstanding individuals in the realm of rugby, making this a noteworthy celebration of excellence in the world of sports.

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Beaumont said: “I am humbled and honoured to receive this accolade from His Majesty the King. I have always viewed my work as a rugby administrator as that of a guardian, driven by a passion to do the very best I can for rugby, its players, fans, and all those who give up their time to volunteer at grassroots level around the world. This accolade is as much recognition for our rugby family as a whole, and all who work tirelessly in the sport, as it is for me.

“Rugby has been my life for more than half a century and has given me so much joy as a player, a father and grandfather to rugby-playing sons and a granddaughter, and as an administrator. I am very fortunate to be in a position to give back to the sport I love, and I am as passionate now about rugby now as I was when representing Fylde, Lancashire, England or the British and Irish Lions.

"Rugby continues to transform, progress and advance as a sport and a movement and I am proud of what we have achieved in recent years. From exceptional men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups and historic international calendar transformation to the exciting advancement of the women’s game, we will never stand still in making the sport the best it can be to all its participants and fans. To that end, I am particularly proud of the strong progress we have made in the priority area of player welfare and I remain unswerving in my commitment to making rugby even more safe, accessible and relevant. We are on a very exciting journey with a very bright future.

“I have said it many times – in my opinion, rugby is the ultimate team sport – a sport with strong values and where the team is always greater than the individual. I have been blessed to have played and worked with incredible people along the way who share the same passion for the betterment of the sport as I do. There is one person who has been at my side, a constant support from my playing days to now, my wife Hilary. She is my inspiration and rock.”

Rob Burrow (former Leeds and England rugby league player), for services to motor neurone disease awareness 

Kevin Sinfield (former Leeds and England rugby league player), for services to motor neurone disease awareness

The pair have helped raise more than £15m for MND charities since Burrow was diagnosed with the disease in 2019.

Ralph Rimmer (former Rugby Football League chief executive), for services to rugby league

Rob Wainwright (former Scotland international rugby union player and Doddie Aid founder), for voluntary and charitable services to the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation

Commenting his royal recognition, Wainwright said: “This is a tremendous honour, and it’s one I accept on behalf of the whole Doddie Aid community.

“Doddie was a force of nature, and I was very proud to call him a friend. Like everyone who he knew, who he inspired, I have been galvanised to do whatever I can to end MND.

“Since Ian Fraser and I came up with the idea of Doddie Aid in 2020, almost 80,000 people have helped raise more than £4 million – money that primarily goes into research projects working to solve MND.

“I am proud of everything we’ve achieved, but we won’t stop till we complete Doddie’s mission. And the ‘we’ I refer to is a huge one. It’s everyone at the foundation, the amazing team of volunteers who make Doddie Aid happen, the random selection of rugby greats, Jedi, Spartan and more who help us promote it, and above all the thousands of kind folk who support and participate in the event and share Doddie’s dream of a world free of MND.

“As luck would have it, this announcement comes at the beginning of Doddie Aid 2024, affording me the platform to call out to everyone: please sign up, download the Doddie Aid app, get active through January, and help us fund more crucial research.“

Stuart Hogg (former Scotland international), for services to rugby union

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said Hogg, who announced his retirement earlier this year, “is rightly celebrated for his services to the game.”

The Scotland fullback's reputation has taken a smashing in recent weeks with the former Scotland captain slammed after going public with glamorous new lover Leonna Mayor, 32, while his wife Gillian, 36, was at home with their newborn child.

One fan wrote: "The same Stuart Hogg that walked away from Scotland just before the World Cup? Some service!"

Another commented: "Is the Stuart Hogg thing a joke?"

A third said: "Stuart Hogg getting an MBE for what exactly? He's hardly a role model...."

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