O'Shea appointed regional director by English RFU

London Irish managing director Conor O'Shea has been appointed director of regional academies by the English Rugby Football Union.

O'Shea will oversee the network of 14 England regional academies and will lead the selection and monitoring of players capable of developing into future England internationals.

The former Ireland full-back will be assisted by David Shaw, who has been a key figure in establishing the regional academy system.

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.

"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."