Friday 29 April 2016 17:26, UK
Rob Andrew is to leave his post as Professional Rugby Director with the Rugby Football Union at the end of the season.
The 53-year-old had been in the role for the past five years, having joined the RFU in 2006, and he will be replaced by Nigel Melville who is another former England international.
A statement released by English rugby's governing body regarding the departure reads: "Andrew, who resigned from his position having instigated discussions with CEO Ian Ritchie for a number of months, has agreed that he will continue to work on completing the latest agreement with Premiership Rugby that will run through till after the 2023 Rugby World Cup."
The former England international has also held positions, including Rugby Operations Director and Elite Rugby Director, at the RFU.
And the Richmond-born former fly-half said: "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."
Ian Ritchie, CEO of the RFU, added: "We are obviously disappointed to see Rob leave after 10 years which has seen him bring about a great deal of positive change at the professional end of the game in England.
"Improving the relationship between the RFU and the professional clubs has been very important for us and Rob has been instrumental in that process.
"His experience at the time was vital as a former England player and having spent 10 successful years developing the Newcastle Falcons following the game going professional in 1995.
"Since that time Rob has delivered an English solution to an English challenge and the strong relationship between the RFU and the professional clubs should provide the basis for sustained success over the course of the coming years.
"The sustained investment in the English system is now producing a stream of talented age grade players who have quickly progressed to the England senior team. Rob was the architect of this structural legacy and should be justifiably proud of his achievements."
Melville, who joins as the Director of Professional Rugby, played 13 times for England between 1984 and 1988 before holding coaching roles with Wasps and Gloucester.
For the past nine years he has been CEO and President of Rugby Operations for USA Rugby and will take up his new role at Twickenham this summer.
Ritchie said: "We are delighted to welcome Nigel to the RFU in what is an exciting time for England Rugby for both the men's and women's games.
"He will bring a great deal of expertise from not only his experiences from working in England but internationally at USA Rugby."
Melville added: "I would like to thank USA Rugby for their support and I am very proud of what has been achieved in the organisation and the game in the US over the last decade.
"I feel I am leaving USA Rugby in a very strong place to continue the growth it has experienced in recent years and keep improving internationally.
"However, I am now hugely excited about this opportunity to join England Rugby in what is a very buoyant time. This year already the men have claimed the Grand Slam, the domestic game has continued to thrive, the U20s are looking to win the World Rugby U20 Junior World Championship and the men and women will compete in the sevens competition at the Olympics in Rio for the first time ever.
"I am looking forward to helping bring further success to England teams."
He became Wasps' first Director or Rugby in 1995 when rugby union went professional. He also played for the British and Irish Lions against New Zealand in 1983, and domestically for Yorkshire, Otley, Headingley, Wakefield and Wasps.
