WRU in sole Six Nations reply, reveals Pichot
AGUSTIN Pichot has revealed the Welsh Rugby Union is the only organisation from the Six Nations countries to reply to an email he sent, outlining his proposals for the game, if he is elected chairman of World Rugby.
The former Argentine scrum-half is standing against ex-England skipper Bill Beaumont for the top job having served as his vice-chairman of the governing body.
Entering the final week of campaigning, Beaumont and Pichot are lobbying to win the 11 remaining swing votes.
Pichot has the support of the SANZAAR unions, but he revealed to the Daily Mail his email proposals did not even receive a reply from five of the Six Nations unions.
“I would like to talk to each individual union,’ said Pichot.
“I sent a personal note to every country and I haven’t had any replies from some of the CEOs.
“I only received one email asking me about the future of the game from the Six Nations unions – that was Wales – and I think that’s poor. Every CEO should be responsible for learning what is best for the game, even if they don’t support you.”
Part of Pichot’s plans to revolutionise the game is to go global with the British and Irish Lions if he becomes the new chairman of World Rugby next month.
He would instigate talks about taking the Lions to the Americas as well as their traditional tours of South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.
“People think I don’t like tradition, but I speak to Lions players like Brian O’Driscoll and it’s a great product,” said Pichot.
“I would use the Lions on a more worldwide scale. I would like to see that brand travel even further. They would be very popular in North and South America but that’s a conversation to have with the CEO of the Lions.”