Woodward backs Pichot's World Rugby challenge

Sir Clive Woodward has backed Agustin Pichot's challenge against sitting World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont ahead of next month' s election.

Former Argentina and Bristol captain Pichot, the current vice-chairman of the world governing body, announced his bid on Sunday, calling for the game to use the crisis caused by the coronavirus outbreak as an opportunity for "global realignment" of the game.

Woodward, who guided England to glory at the 2003 World Cup, voiced support for that vision via social media on Monday.

"Good luck Gus , I absolutely think the World of Rugby has also to use this extraordinary moment in time to fundamentally change and become economically viable and truly a world game," Woodward wrote on his Twitter account.

In announcing his campaign, Pichot said: "It is a critical time and a critical election.

“The current crisis is an opportunity for the global realignment of our game. We cannot miss it."

Pichot, who also had a spell with Richmond in the late 1990s, wrote: "Women and men, we all fight for and believe in fair, equal and more inclusive world. Do we?

"If so, it is time to make these dreams a reality for our sport, rugby.

"It is time to think of a sport where professional and commercial income is becoming a true benefit for all, by empowering rugby's growth around the world and by moving on from the time where those benefits were for just a few."

The former Pumas scrumhalf added: "It is a critical time and a critical election.

"The current crisis is an opportunity for the global realignment of our game. “We cannot miss it. "It is time to align our global calendar and demonstrate our strategic intent to attract the sustainable investment we need, or risk falling back to individual hand-outs and rants in the absence of a longterm vision for a global game.

"It is time to change, to focus our attention, love and dedication to all unions and federations equally."

The election is due to be held next month.

Beaumont announced he was standing for a second four-year term in January with French Rugby Federation president Bernard Laporte as his proposed vice-chairman.