Former Italy coach Conor O’Shea will join the Rugby Football Union (RFU) as director of performance rugby next year, it was announced on Friday, while director of professional rugby Nigel Melville said he will step down in December.
O’Shea left his role with Italy after the team’s pool-stage exit from this year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan.
A statement released by the RFU read: “O’Shea will be responsible for the leadership, management and strategic direction of the professional game in England.
“With the aim to support long-term sustainable success at international level, the 49 year-old will manage the England player, coaching and match officials pathways across men’s and women’s 15s and Sevens programmes.”
This article was originally published by Espn.co.uk. Read the original article here.