Agustin Pichot has resigned all of his positions in rugby administration following his narrow loss to Bill Beaumont in the race to become World Rugby chair.

The Argentine, who won 71 caps for his country, challenged Beaumont for the top job after spending four years as the Englishman's vice-chair.

Pichot gained support from Southern Hemisphere nations in the vote, but Beaumont prevailed by 28 votes to 23.

In a statement, Pichot said:

"As of today, I have decided not to continue as a UAR representative on the World Rugby Council, nor as a member of the Rugby World Cup Board, nor as President of Americas Rugby.

"The only reason I have been a part of World Rugby to this day, and which in turn is the same one that has moved me to run for President, is the conviction that World Rugby needs change.

"But my proposal, which I fervently believe in, has not been chosen, and that is why I choose to step aside. I cannot conceive of occupying a place just for the sake of occupying it."

45-year-old Pichot had advocated a World Nations League involving Six Nations countries and those from the Rugby Championship, and put forward a plan for the British and Irish Lions to Tour the United States of America.

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