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.