Alan Gilpin: ‘The US plan will benefit from the Eagles being in France’

World Rugby CEO doesn't think the game needs the US in France next year' but knows Chile's win on Saturday underlined the need for serious work before the World Cup comes to America

The first thing to do in conversation with Alan Gilpin, chief executive of World Rugby, the day after an extraordinary World Cup play-off is to celebrate Chile, qualifiers for the first time after beating the USA 31-29 in Colorado, 52-51 on aggregate.

Congratulations to them," Gilpin says. They've pulled together an incredibly committed, passionate team who believe in each other and were able to really hang in at times against a very good Eagles side.