IRFU announces structural changes

The IRFU has reorganised its management structure as part of the implementation of the Strategic Development Plan for rugby in Ireland, the body announced today.

Two new positions have been created to cater directly for the domestic game and the elite player development structure.

"The objective of both positions is to increase the scope of IRFU staff resources to cater for an expanding game in both areas and to focus the appropriate delivery of services for each of them,£ the IRFU said today.

The first new position will be the appointment of a domestic game manager, who will be responsible for the planning, development and organisation of the game within clubs and schools throughout Ireland. This person will report directly to the IRFU director of rugby and sit on the domestic game committee.

The second position will be that of a high performance manager who will report to the director of rugby. The manager will be responsible for the development and implementation of the IRFU "high performance pathway", designed to increase the through-put and quality of future Irish professional players.

Both positions will be advertised in the coming weeks.

The IRFU will also be making important changes on a departmental basis within the organisation. The operations sector of the IRFU will be reorganised into a new corporate services function, with current IRFU operations director Martin Murphy filling the lead role as director of corporate affairs.

The growth of the IRFU's commercial and marketing activity will see current marketing manager Padraig Power becoming commercial and marketing director.

The finance department will be led by current IRFU accountant Conor O'Brien as finance controller.

Maurice Dowling, the current head of human resources will take the role of director of human resources.