Scotland legend John Jeffrey has said he feels "hurt, bitter and betrayed" after failing to secure the support of his own union, thus ending his bid to become World Rugby chairman.
World Rugby chief Bill Beaumont is due to stand down in November. Jeffrey was once considered a leading contender to succeed him. However, having left his role as Scottish Rugby chairman last year, Jeffrey said on Friday the body informed him they would not support his candidacy.
"I'm very bitter. I'm very upset -- very, very upset. To be beaten by your own country really, really hurts," he told the BBC.
"It came as a huge shock. It doesn't reflect well on us as a country. People are now laughing at us -- 'you said you were standing and now you're not.'
"I don't know if they are laughing at me or if they're laughing at Scottish Rugby, but they're certainly laughing. It does not reflect well on the [SRU] board.
"There's a lot of politics. I know I was favourite to win. There was opposition in terms of candidates from Italy, France and Australia and had I been beaten by any of them of them I would have shaken their hands and said 'well done.'
"What really sticks in my throat is that I got beaten by my own country. My own country at the 11th hour have withdrawn their nomination, which beggars belief.
"Betrayed is not too strong a word. I'm out, I'm back to farming again."
Jeffrey was a part of the Scottish 1990 Grand Slam-winning side and won 40 caps for the country.