Rugby:Rob Andrew's position at the English RFU 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 when he took over at Twickenham four months ago and today presented his findings to the board of directors at a meeting in Birmingham. He set out to strengthen the RFU in preparation for England hosting the 2015 Rugby 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 tomorrow 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 that the performance director role could appeal to someone of Woodward's experience, although the exact job description remained under wraps tonight. England's 2003 World Cup-winning coach is currently employed as elite performance director at the British Olympic Association.
The recommendations have not impacted on 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 and place rugby back at the heart of the RFU's remit.
