Lapasset, who will stand down from his role as chairman of World Rugby this year, was named in the New Year's Honours List in France and is one of a select group of sportspeople to be chosen for the recognition.

He was anointed Officer in 2007 and has now made the step up to Commander for his continued service and dedication to sport.

The 68-year-old being named in the New Year's Honours List came following a successful staging of the Rugby World Cup in England in September and October.

It was widely regarded as one of the best-ever editions of rugby's quadrennial showpiece, with Lapasset hailing it as "the most competitive, best-attended, most-watched, most socially-engaged and most commercially-successful" tournament in its history.

The Frenchman's tenure at the helm of rugby's worldwide governing body is due to come to an end on May 11 where his successor will be elected in Dublin.

Bill Beaumont of England, the head of the Rugby Football Union, was announced as the sole candidate for the World Rugby chairmanship as he was the only one to put their name forward for the role before the deadline of March 12.

Lapasset opted not to stand for re-election in order to focus on Paris' bid to bring the Olympic Games to the French capital for the first time in exactly 100 years.

He had previously led rugby's world governing body in 1995 and 1996 and has been involved with several key changes to the sport during his tenure.

Lapasset was one of the driving forces behind rugby sevens securing a place on the Olympic programme for Rio 2016 at the IOC Session in Copenhagen in 2009, where it was added along with golf.

He also oversaw the rebrand to World Rugby, which took place in 2014.