Joe Lydon leaves RFU player development role

Image: Joe Lydonis no longer head of international player development at the RFU

Joe Lydon has resigned from his role as head of international player development at the RFU after three years in the job.

Lydon arrived in August 2013 and has been responsible for "managing the performance pathway and pipeline of international players for England Rugby".

His remit of teams included the Saxons, the Under-20s, U18s, the sevens and the women's senior, sevens and U20s teams.

During his time, the women's side won the Rugby World Cup in 2014 and subsequently the RFU introduced the first set of professional contracts for the women's sevens squad.

The England men's and women's sevens squads both qualified for the Rio Olympic Games on behalf of Team GB last season, while the men's U20s won the World Championship in 2014, then reached the final in 2015 after winning the Six Nations earlier in the year.

Advertisement
Tom May joins Alex Payne to recap the weekend's Six Nations action

"I have had a fulfilling time within my role at the RFU, and have taken great pleasure in seeing the pathway continue to develop," said Lydon.

"I am proud to have worked with so many quality people whose collective aim continues to be the development of players in order to maximise potential for both their respective clubs and England Rugby." 

Also See:

RFU chief executive officer Ian Ritchie said: "The RFU, the coaches and teams have benefitted greatly from Joe's wealth of experience, which has enabled the pathway to continue to develop and deliver results across the board.

"On behalf of the Union, we wish him well for the future and thank him for all he has done."

Outbrain