Sir Clive Woodward has backed Agustín Pichot’s challenge to the sitting World Rugby chairman, Sir Bill Beaumont, in next month’s election.
Pichot, the former Argentina and Bristol captain Pichot and the current vice-chairman of rugby union’s world governing body, announced his bid on Sunday, calling for the game to use the coronavirus crisis as an opportunity for “global realignment”.
Woodward, who guided England to glory at the 2003 Rugby World Cup, tweeted his support for Pichot’s vision 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 said.
Pichot launched his campaign on Sunday, writing: “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 scrum-half 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 handouts and rants in the absence of a long-term vision for a global game. It is time to change, to focus our attention, love and dedication to all unions and federations equally.”
Beaumont announced in January that he was standing for a second four-year term with the French Rugby Federation president, Bernard Laporte, as his proposed vice-chairman instead of Pichot. The election is due to be held in May.