Schmidt fires back at Pichot over Kleyn call

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.

The World Rugby vice-president has been vocal on the issue of eligibility for some time — he played a key role in the change of residency rules from three years to five — and his tweet about Jean Kleyn being preferred to Toner wasn’t the only barb to invite the ire of the Ireland coach this past week.