ENGLISH RUGBY:ROB ANDREW'S position at the Rugby Football Union (RFU) in England is set to be redefined after chief executive John Steele received the go-ahead to make significant changes to the senior management structure.
Steele launched a comprehensive review of the RFU when he took over at Twickenham four months ago and yesterday presented his findings to the board of directors in Birmingham.
The former UK Sport boss set out to strengthen the RFU in preparation for England staging the 2015 World Cup and his recommendations were unanimously approved.
Andrew’s wide-ranging role as England’s elite rugby director, which he has held since beating Clive Woodward to the appointment in 2006, is one of those to have come under the microscope.
The RFU will not confirm any details of the changes until this afternoon, giving Steele a chance to speak to staff directly.
Andrew is not expected to be leaving the RFU but he is set to receive a new brief, with Steele’s plan to include the creation of a new performance director post.
Steele said: “I am delighted that the board unanimously accepted my recommendations for change.
“We have a hugely exciting five years ahead of us and I want to make sure we are in the best possible shape to seize the opportunity a home World Cup gives us to grow and develop the game from the grassroots to the elite level.
“The changes we agreed will deliver a simpler management structure with clearer leadership and are changes that are right for rugby and right for the RFU.”
It has been suggested the performance director role could appeal to someone of Woodward’s experience.
England’s 2003 World Cup-winning coach is currently employed as elite performance director at the British Olympic Association.
The recommendations have not affected Martin Johnson and the England coaching team, who will remain in place until at least the World Cup later this year.
But there has been speculation the new structure could now see Johnson report directly to Steele, the former Northampton outhalf and coach.
Those changes would fit with Steele’s plan to streamline the management structure.
Former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio last night backed Steele’s plans to shake up the RFU’s executive structure in order to give England the best chance of success on home soil in four years.
“It is important we strive to improve all the time on and off the field. England have a very successful structure from the bottom up but not from the top down,” Dallaglio said.
