Mark McCafferty has been a key figure in forcing change in the modern game © Getty Images

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Premiership Rugby CEO Mark McCafferty has been named the most influential person in world rugby by Rugby World magazine.

In their latest edition, McCafferty tops a 50-person list which features some of the game's key power brokers. McCafferty is recognised for the role he played in spearheading change in both the English and European domestic game.

McCafferty was instrumental in the formation of the new re-branded European rugby tournament the Rugby Champions Cup and helped bring in the BT Sport deal for the Aviva Premiership.

He is joined in the top three by the International Rugby Board's referee manager Joel Jutge and RFU CEO Ian Ritchie. Brian O'Driscoll is named fifth and is joined in the top 10 by former players Agustin Pichot and Jonny Wilkinson. Debbie Jevans, CEO of England Rugby 2015, is 12th with England flanker Maggie Alphonsi 20th.

The Power List

1. Mark McCafferty
2. Joel Jutge
3. Ian Ritchie
4. Steve Hansen
5. Brian O'Driscoll
6. Agustin Pichot
7. Eric Bale
8. Jonny Wilkinson
9. Brett Gosper
10. Stuart Lancaster
11. John Jeffrey
12. Debbie Jevans
13. Richie McCaw
14. Joe Schmidt
15. Ed Griffiths
16. Nigel Melville
17. Sam Warburton
18. Eddie Jones
19. Warren Gatland
20. Maggie Alphonsi