RFU give O'Shea nod to head up academies

LONDON Irish chief Conor O'Shea is joining the RFU as Director of Regional Academies to head up the network of 14 England regional rugby academies. O'Shea starts his new role in the spring.

O'Shea, capped 35 times for Ireland at full back, will manage the RFU regional academies with the support of David Shaw. He will lead the selection and monitoring of players capable of developing into future England internationals.

The captain of London Irish until his retirement as a player four years ago, O'Shea made the successful transition to director of rugby in 2001 and then managing director in 2003. As the RFU's Director of Regional Academies his responsibilities will also include leading the technical development of the playing and coaching programmes across the regional academy network.

O'Shea said: "I look on this move to Twickenham as a huge challenge and one I simply could not turn down. I have been fortunate enough to be a player, captain, director of rugby and most recently managing director of London Irish. I've enjoyed a lot of exciting times with my club and my country and am now keen to take on this new challenge.

"The RFU's regional academies are blazing a trail of identifying players who dream one day of playing for England. Thanks to David Shaw the system is progressing well and I'm looking forward to working with him, the 12 Zurich Premiership clubs, Bristol and the South West, where the other two academies are based, and Brian Ashton, who is running the National Academy in Bath. I can see so much potential for moving the academy network onto another level and that excites me enormously."

O'Shea will report to the RFU's Performance Director Chris Spice. He will be supported by David Shaw, who has been instrumental in establishing the regional academy system. The former Irish full back will play a leading role in managing the development of England's elite players at this vital stage in their careers.

Commenting on London Irish, O'Shea said he was privileged to have been part of a truly special 'family'. "The club has been my 'home from home' since I came to this country from Ireland in 1995. Leaving this unique club will be quite a wrench after the ten years I've had.

"I believe I am leaving the club in much better shape than when I arrived at the end of the amateur era. London Irish now plays a major role in rugby in this country and in Europe and I'm sure it will continue to do so. I will take a special interest in its progress."

O'Shea thanked the directors, management, players and staff and the "incredible supporters" of London Irish for all their support.

Brendan Mullin, chairman of London Irish, said: "Obviously we are disappointed that Conor has decided to leave the club, however, we recognise the exciting opportunity that the RFU has offered him and the compliment it pays London Irish in doing so. Conor has made a major contribution to this great club both as player and executive and we are grateful to him."

There are 14 regional academies in England, with 12 based at Zurich Premiership clubs throughout England, involving around 200 players. Players selected for the RFU's Junior, Intermediate and Senior National Academies under manager Brian Ashton come predominantly from these 14 regional academies.

Conor O'Shea was born in Limerick and brought up in Dublin, where he attended Terenure College and graduated in commerce from University College Dublin. He holds a diploma in legal studies from Dublin Institute of Technology and a masters in sports science from the United States Sports Academy and Brunel University. He moved to England in 1995 and made 127 first team appearances for London Irish, scoring 62 tries and 412 points. He made 35 appearances as full-back for Ireland, scoring six tries after winning his first cap against Romania in 1993 and his last against England in 2000. He also played in the 1995 and 1999 World Cups.