Thion plans to be boss of bosses

THERE’S a school of thought which suggests the word honcho derives from the Basque term jauntxo, which means boss man.

Jerome Thion of Basque outfit Biarritz, certainly has the appearance of a head honcho: the France second row is part of the elite group of lineout operators in world rugby. So is the man he faces on Saturday.

“Paul O Connell? He’s one of the best second rows in the world, along with maybe Chris Jack of New Zealand.