RFU drafts in Melville to replace outgoing Andrew

3:30 PM GMT

• Martyn Thomas

Rob Andrew will step down from his role as the RFU's director of professional rugby at the end of the season, it was confirmed on Friday.

Andrew resigned from his position having "instigated discussions" with RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie, but has agreed to continue working on the latest agreement with Premiership Rugby.

Andrew joined the RFU in 2006 and has held a variety of roles, leading the negotiations for the existing Heads of Agreement deal between the governing body and the English top-flight clubs.

The former England fly-half took up his current role in 2011 and oversaw a range of the governing body's activities, including regional academies, coaching development and referees.

Andrew said he was proud of the work he had done but felt it was time to step aside.

"After 10 years at the RFU and with the impending conclusion of the second Heads of Agreement, it feels like the right time to step down at the end of the season," he said.

"My role has primarily been to set up a structure that would ultimately deliver long-term success to England through a pipeline of talented players coming through the academy system.

"Bringing together the clubs to support the new academy scheme required recognition from the RFU to reward them to bring on successful academy players and I believe we have achieved this.

"The staff and coaches who have delivered this at both club and England junior level are the unsung heroes and I would like to give them the thanks and recognition they deserve.

"The pipeline is going from strength-to-strength and I believe will deliver Eddie Jones and his coaches the world-class players that England need to ensure increasing success going forward."

Ritchie added: "We are obviously disappointed to see Rob leave the RFU after 10 years which has seen him bring about a great deal of positive change at the professional end of the game in England in that time.

"Improving the relationship between the RFU and the professional clubs has been very important for us and Rob has been instrumental in that process."

Let's block ads! (Why?)

RFU drafts in Melville to replace outgoing Andrew