RFU appoints Dean Ryan as head of international player development

Former Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan has joined the Rugby Football Union as the head of international player development.

The former England number-8 has been assigned to the role of managing the pathway of the players leading to represent the red rose team and will work with various coaches from the academy to the senior level.

Stressing on the need to have a proper system in place, Ryan also emphasised on working closely with the English clubs and chalk out a road map for the players to evolve and make an impact at the international level.

"This is an opportunity for English rugby to take that next step and become a dominant force in world rugby," said Ryan, who stepped down as Worcester director of rugby in June.

"To do this we need to ensure we continue to develop a world-class pathway system for our players and elite coaches.

"Having excellent relationships with the professional clubs is key, and we need to be joined up in our approach so we develop players who are ready to take that step into the senior international environment and make a real impact for England."

During his coaching tenure, the 50-year-old has worked with Bristol, Scotland, Worcester Warriors and the Barbarians apart from Gloucester.