Looking to grow Premiership Rugby

IN THE NEWS: Former England captain Nigel Melville has been announced as the new Chairman of the Premiership Rugby Investor Board which represents the clubs at Premiership Rugby.

Melville will also chair the Rugby Committee at Premiership Rugby. These roles – which now become full-time – were held by outgoing Chairman Semore Kurdi.

Semore Kurdi said: “We are delighted to welcome Nigel back to club rugby, bringing 25 years of relevant experience of professional rugby.

“There are huge opportunities to grow Premiership Rugby in the next few years and Nigel will have a crucial role in working alongside Darren Childs, the CEO at Premiership Rugby, delivering the objectives of the clubs and  investment company CVC.”

Melville, who also represented the British and Irish Lions, is also a former Director of Rugby at Wasps and Gloucester, said: “My role is to work with the Premiership Rugby clubs and Darren Childs to provide support to the ownership group as they continue to develop the professional game in England.

“I was Director of Rugby at Wasps when the game went professional and I have been involved with professional rugby for 25 years as both coach and administrator.

“In the last three years as Director of Professional Rugby at the RFU, I worked with the Premiership clubs to deliver the Professional Game Agreement so I understand the issues facing the modern professional game.”