Ireland head-coach Joe Schmidt has hit back at Agustin Pichot for claiming that Devin Toner should 'seek answers' about his omission from Ireland's Rugby World Cup squad.
World Rugby's vice-president criticised Ireland's decision to pick South African born Jean Kleyn over Leinster lock Devin Toner in their 31-man group for Japan.
Former Argentina out-half Pichot had been a leading voice in campaigning for extending the residency rule from three to five years, tweeted his sympathy to Toner yesterday.
“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.”
Schmidt responded to Pichot's comments at his press conference at Carton House this afternoon, saying he's playing by the rules.
“Gus Pichot had a big opinion about who should be world number one as well.
"I think he has a number of big opinions, but they're not ones that are relevant for us and, talking to Gats last week, they weren't relevant to him either.
"What is relevant is that under the laws of the game, as they were, we are entitled to pick guys who have qualified.
“Considering he is involved in World Rugby, he could have a look at what the rules were and not have so many things to say because for us it is tough enough to do our job and tough enough for me to have a conversation as I did with Dev.
"In my time with Ireland, the qualification involvement is probably six to seven per cent. The rest are homegrown guys.
"They are not only homegrown but domiciled here apart from two years we used Johnny Sexton from Paris.
"I'm not sure I’m the most qualified to comment because I’m a blow-in myself and I’ll be blowing out soon."
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