Georgia and Romania, along with the United States, are now representated on an expanded World Rugby Council ©Getty Images

Representatives from Georgia, Romania and the United States have been officially added onto an expanded World Rugby Council during an interim meeting in London.

Wales' Gareth Davies was also elected to the body's Executive Committee to replace South Africa's Oregan Hoskins during the meeting.

Elsewhere, Kazakhstan were suspended from the world governing body with "immediate effect owing to ongoing governance issues".

The addition of the three new countries onto the ruling Council comes as World Rugby seeks a "new governance model paving the way for wider representation" under new Chairman Bill Beaumont.

"We are delighted to be welcoming Georgia, Romania and USA to Council for the first time today," the Englishman said.

"These are unions who have contributed so much to the game and are making massive strides on and off the field. 

"I know that they will make a strong contribution as we grow the sport together."

All three countries will be represented by the head of their national federations in Gocha Svanidze for Georgia, Bob Latham for the US and Harry Dumitras for Romania.

Latham has sat on the Council since 2011 but was previously a representative for North America.

The Council meeting followed the election of Bill Beaumont as Chairman of World Rugby earlier this year ©Getty Images
The Council meeting followed the election of Bill Beaumont as Chairman of World Rugby earlier this year ©Getty Images

Voting rights for nine unions - Australia, England, France, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa and Wales - have also been expanded in "accordance with wide-ranging and historic governance reform announced last year". 

There are now 46 votes on Council with each of the six regional associations receiving two in addition to the individual union allocation.

World Rugby's Nominations Committee will consider applications from other countries targeting a Council seat during their annual meeting in May.

Argentina's application for an additional vote was not accepted, but will also be considered again in May.

"Their inclusion shows that the pathway is in place and the door open to other unions who aspire to have a seat on Council," Beaumont, who replaced France's Bernard Lapasset earlier this year, added. 

"It is an inspiration and we encourage all unions to take inspiration from Georgia, Romania and the USA, review their governance and strive to achieve the required criteria.

"World Rugby is committed to the sustainable growth of the sport set against a backdrop of transparency, integrity and strong governance and we will continue to work with our unions to ensure that they have all the necessary support to achieve and maintain the necessary criteria moving forward."