RFU appoints Gordon Lord as head of professional coach development

Rugby Football Union on Friday appointed former Warwickshire and Worcestershire cricketer Gordon Lord as head of professional coach development.

The 55-year-old will swap his position in cricket after working as head of elite coach development with England and Wales Cricket Board for 25 years with a similar role in RFU from April.

Lord will directly report to RFU's head of international player development Dean Ryan and will be implementing a number of coaching development education programme to help England players develop their skills further.

Lord said he is looking forward to work with England rugby union.

"I'm delighted to be joining at such an exciting time for England rugby," said Lord.

"This new challenge offers the chance for me to help enhance the coaching culture in English rugby and build on an established coach development programme."

Meanwhile, Ryan is confident that Gordon's experience with the England cricket board will surely come handy in his new role.

"Gordon is well-regarded throughout sport for his work developing coaches, and has proven experience in effective coaching processes and mentoring coaches at an elite level.

"He has built an outstanding elite coach development programme in cricket and we look forward to welcoming him to the RFU in April."