World Rugby vice president Agustin Pichot has said if he was Irish lock Devin Toner, he would 'be asking World Rugby for answers'.
Joe Schmidt announced his Ireland World Cup squad earlier today and it included the shock news that Leinster's Toner has not been selected. The travelling seconds are James Ryan, Iain Henderson, Tadhg Beirne and Jean Kleyn. Further cover, if needed, can be provided by Rhys Ruddock who is also in the squad.
Kleyn's selection has provoked some backlash, given he only recently qualified to play for Ireland. The current Munster lock was born and grew up in South Africa.
Former Irish winger Luke Fitzgerald was particularly critical of the move.
Looking like South Africa v South Africa ‘A’ in the World Cup QF...if all goes to plan #brokensystem #theshaftofallshafts
— luke fitzgerald (@lukefitz11) September 2, 2019
Elsewhere, Argentina’s Augustin Pichot, who is the vice-chairman of World Rugby and led the campaign for the extension of the three-year residency rule, expressed sympathy for the 33-year-old. In a tweet that was first deleted and sent once again, Pichot said:
If I was David Toner..... I will be asking WR for answers. I feel sorry for him; nothing against for who was properly selected for the RWC19 by the way. But feel that way.
If I was Devin Toner ..... I will be asking WR for answers. I feel sorry for him; nothing against for who was properly selected for the RWC19 by the way. But feel that way.
— Agustín Pichot (@AP9_) September 2, 2019
