Wallabies and Waratahs lock Dean Mumm will take over from Benn Robinson as Rugby Union Players’ Association (RUPA) president.

Mumm was elected by his fellow players as the eighth RUPA president, with Robinson having to step down after being forced into retirement last year.

The Waratahs veteran joins fellow Test players like Justin Harrison, Daniel Herbert, Rod Kafer and Adam Freier among RUPA presidents.

Mumm’s appointment is particularly significant with negotiations between RUPA and state and national rugby bodies over the players’ collective bargaining agreement to continue this year.

Robinson endorsed Mumm as his successor, in a statement on Friday.

“Dean is an outstanding appointment as President of RUPA and I couldn’t be happier to leave the organisation in his intelligent, experienced and respected hands,” he said.

“Dean’s career, which includes a stint in the United Kingdom as part of thirteen years as a professional player, has given him a great understanding of the game as a business and as a passion, and all professional players will no doubt benefit from his perspective and leadership.

“I was pleased to invest my time in recent years to advance the interests of the players and the game. Dean will similarly be called upon to be the champion of the players and it’s a position in which I firmly believe he will thrive.”

Mumm said he was prepared to take on some of the challenges his new role would present, as Australian rugby faces a battle to keep players on home soil.

“As today’s professional Rugby players, we are well aware of our obligations to help foster a better Australian Rugby for all stakeholders, and to leave behind that legacy for the next generation,” he said.

“The game currently has a number of challenges that need to be confronted in 2017, and I look forward to getting involved in constructive discussions on how Rugby can do more than survive, but thrive within the Australian sports marketplace.

Matt Hodgson and Scott Sio have both been installed as their respective franchise’s players’ directors in a number of other changes.

Shannon Parry has stepped into the women’s sevens role, with the retirement of Gemma Etheridge, while Wallabies captain Stephen Moore will replace Parry in her co-opted director role, a move that is expected to be ratified at the next board meeting.

RUPA board

Chairman: Bruce Hodgkinson SC

President: Dean Mumm

Player Director - Brumbies: Scott Sio

Player Director – Force: Matt Hodgson

Player Director – Rebels: Tom English

Player Director – Reds: James Slipper

Player Director – Waratahs: Bernard Foley

Sevens Director, Men’s: Ed Jenkins

Sevens Director, Women’s: Shannon Parry OAM

Co-Opted Director: Sally Fielke

Co-Opted Director: Adam Wallace-Harrison

Co-Opted Director: To be ratified (Stephen Moore)

Chief Executive Officer: Ross Xenos