The sport’s governing body wanted to revamp rugby’s global calendar with the introduction of a new competition for the top 12 teams from both the northern and southern hemispheres.

Agustin Pichot’s ears must have been burning yesterday at lunchtime as Joe Schmidt responded to the Argentine’s criticism of the decision to select a project player ahead of Devin Toner in Ireland’s World Cup squad.

Pichot's take on the decision, aired via Twitter on Monday, follows on from his assertion last week that the world rankings were “ridiculous” given Warren Gatland's Wales had usurped New Zealand as No.1 despite never having beaten the All Blacks.

So now the real work begins. The debates over squad selection are over, at least inside the Irish camp, and now comes the business end of Joe Schmidt’s preparations for Japan and the 2019 World Cup.

Mere weeks into the new season and rugby is already in crisis mode.

World Rugby has voted to increase the required residency period to be eligible for international rugby from three to five years.

Set-piece dominance

It is difficult to disagree with outgoing International Rugby Board chairman Dr Syd Millar that France 2007 was “the best ever World Cup”.

Argentina captain Agustin Pichot hailed his side’s “heart and soul” after the Pumas completed a record 34-10 victory over France to finish third at the World Cup.

Argentina captain Agustin Pichot predicted the “end for rugby” if tournament organisers followed through with plans to reduce the number of teams competing in the 2011 World Cup.

Agustine Pichot does not believe Argentina are given the respect they deserve - and the Pumas are determined to do something about it.

SCOTLAND’S World Cup run came to a disappointing end at the quarter-final stage as Argentina stuttered into a last-four date with South Africa with a scrappy victory in Paris last night.

ARGENTINA said they had achieved the perfect result in the 63-3 defeat of Namibia ahead of Sunday’s crucial clash with Ireland which will decide both side’s World Cup fate.

ARGENTINA fly-half Felipe Contepomi believes securing a crucial bonus point against Namibia today is no foregone conclusion.

ARGENTINA captain Agustin Pichot returns for tomorrow’s World Cup clash with Namibia. Pichot was struggling with a hamstring injury, but will lead the Pumas in the Pool D match at Stade Velodrome in Marseille.

Argentina will go into their World Cup Pool D clash with Georgia in Lyon having risen to fourth in the latest International Rugby Board world rankings – their highest position.

France launched the 2007 Rugby World Cup tonight amid huge expectancy levels in coach Bernard Laporte’s final assignment before he takes up a French ministerial post.

ARGENTINA prepares to risk the wrath of millions of French rugby supporters by making a sensational start to the 2007 World Cup at Stade De France tomorrow night.

ARGENTINA’S forward power has forced France head coach Bernard Laporte into making some “painful” decisions in selecting his starting line-up for Friday’s World Cup opener at the Stade de France.

ARGENTINA prop Rodrigo Roncero played down the importance of his side’s 27-20 defeat to Wales on Saturday.

Wales 27 Argentina 20

LATE tries from veteran Argentinian scrum-half Augustin Pichot and Fijian substitute Radike Samo inspired Stade Francais to a 23-18 victory over Clermont in the French Top 14 championship final at the Stade de France on Saturday.

THE pin-up boy of Argentinian rugby alighted from the team bus outside the Pumas team hotel in central Santa Fe to be greeted by a scrum of fanatical teenagers mitching off school.

Argentina captain Agustin Pichot could join current Pumas coach Marcelo Loffreda at Leicester next season after claiming he has been approached by the English giants.

LEICESTER kept alive their hopes of an unprecedented trophy treble by stunning French Championship leaders Stade Francais to book a place in the Heineken Cup semi-finals.

French Barbarians 14 Argentina 28

WALES star Ryan Jones has accepted responsibility for conceding a last-gasp penalty that could ultimately cost the Ospreys a place in this season’s Heineken Cup quarter-finals.

SALE director of rugby Phillipe Saint-Andre insisted his side’s Heineken Cup hopes remains alive after beating Stade Francais at Edgeley Park.

England 18 Argentina 25

ANDY ROBINSON has predicted a “phenomenally tough” game against Argentina at Twickenham on Saturday as England strive to avoid their seventh successive Test defeat.

Argentina 23 South Africa 34

LEICESTER boss Pat Howard has predicted a “formidable” challenge from Stade Francais when the Parisians play for their Heineken Cup lives today.

Inspirational Argentina skipper Agustin Pichot has been named on the bench for Sunday’s Churchill Cup final against England.

Stade Francais 12 Toulouse 18 (aet)

INSPIRATIONAL Stade Francais scrum-half Agustin Pichot said his side never gave up hope in Saturday’s Heineken Cup semi-final - despite trailing to Biarritz until deep into injury-time.

Gloucester 0 Stade Francais 27

Stade Francais 35 Cardiff 16

Ulster 18 Stade Francais 10

Champions League results GROUP H:

Champions League GROUP G:

ARGENTINEAN players alleged to have gouged six different Irish opponents in Saturday’s Lansdowne Road cliffhanger will not face any disciplinary action.

Ireland 21 Argentina 19

“JUST a nice little warm-up game for Castres.”

PUMAS captain Augustin Pichot was hardly sitting behind the top table in the old Lansdowne Road pavilion after Saturday’s gripping encounter when he launched into an amazing attack on the Irish team.

Controversy surrounded the conduct of Ireland’s players during the narrow 21-19 win against Argentina today at Lansdowne Road.

IT’S claimed there were 10,000 Irish people among the 28,803 attendance in the Adelaide Oval for the World Cup clash of Ireland and Argentina on October 26 last year.