Francis Kean (L) was found guilty of manslaughter in Fiji in 2007 after beating a man to death the previous year at a Bainimarama family wedding.

World Rugby is investigating allegations about Francis Kean, a convicted killer nominated by the Fiji Rugby Union for a seat on the international rugby body's powerful executive.

The inquiry was revealed by The Sunday Times newspaper, which had published a story referencing Kean's 2007 conviction for manslaughter and allegations of homophobia while he was head of Fiji's prison service.

Kean's bid - and manslaughter conviction - was the subject of a Stuff article last week.

Kean is the president of the Fiji Rugby Union and brother-in-law of Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama.

DAVE ROWLAND/GETTY IMAGES World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont's re-election bid has been endorsed by the Fiji Rugby Union, chaired by Francis Kean.

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He has been nominated for a World Rugby executive position by the FRU and seconded by the French Rugby Federation.

Fiji has endorsed World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont's re-election bid in the face of a challenge by former Argentina halfback Agustin Pichot.

Kean, who already serves on World Rugby's council, was found guilty of manslaughter in the Fiji High Court in 2007 by Auckland justice Gerard Winter.

Kean punched and killed John Whippy at the wedding of one of Bainimarama's daughters, Ateca, a month after Bainimarama seized power in a military coup in 2006.

He was sentenced to 18 months' jail, but was released after "only a couple of months" on a compulsory supervision order, according to a South Pacific Law Journal report, published as part of the Sunday Times' probe.

The report - by Sunday Times chief rugby correspondent Stephen Jones - said Kean, had been criticised in two Amnesty International reports into the state of Fijian jails, while he was in charge of the prison service in 2016.

The Sunday Times reported it had heard a recording of Kean using homophobic language and urging prison officers to beat up a young colleague.

World Rugby issued a statement to The Times confirming it "takes these allegations extremely seriously. Rugby is a sport built on strong and inclusive values and World Rugby does not in any way condone abusive or discriminatory behaviour."

The newspaper said it believed World Rugby and Beaumont were prepared to take action.

Beaumont had earlier told The Sunday Times: "The Fiji Union have nominated one of their elected officials to stand for the Executive Committee for which eight candidates are standing for seven positions to be elected by the Council. World Rugby does not make the decision as to who stands. It is a matter for the union."