01 AGUSTÍN PICHOT

WORLD RUGBY VICE-CHAIRMAN

UP5

In size and demeanour, Agustín Pichot reminds me of Jacques Fouroux, the captain of France some decades ago. Both men were tiny, trotting round behind the packs of hulking giants they played with as scrum-halves. Neither looked immaculately dressed, usually their socks were rolled down to their ankles.

But on the field and especially away from the field, they both had the unmistakable air of authority; it is possible to tower over Gus Pichot and still feel in awe of him. Perhaps that will increase now that our distinguished panel have, from all the scores of candidates, made him the most important figure of the moment in rugby. We all had different thoughts as we sat down to make our choices, and arguments ensued. But I find it impossible to argue with this choice.

It might seem odd that Pichot has surpassed Bill Beaumont on our list. Pichot is merely vice-chairman of World Rugby after the recent changes, with Big Bill as chairman. But we have chosen Gus because, for some time at least, Beaumont has to be all things to all men and has to retain a modicum of balance. Pichot has more wriggle room.

Pichot was out with the big gun almost as soon as he had been elected, and God bless his cotton Argentine socks. He immediately said in public that the sport’s three-year residency rule is wrong and called for it to be amended. He wants the qualifying period to be extended to five years and how absolutely right he is.

“Someone will kill me but we need to change it,” he said. With those words he was acknowledging the fact that