After nearly three years as Head of International Player Development, Joe Lydon has resigned from the RFU to pursue fresh challenges.
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 Saxons, U20s, U18s, sevens, and the women’s senior, sevens and U20s teams.
In that time the women’s side won the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2014 and subsequently the RFU introduced the first-ever 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 Rugby Under 20 Championship in 2014, then reached the final in 2015 after winning the Six Nations earlier in the year.
RFU CEO Ian Ritchie said, “The RFU, the coaches and teams have benefited 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.”
Joe Lydon said, “I have had a fulfilling time within my role at the RFU, and have taken great pleasure in seeing the pathway continue to develop. 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.”
Report courtesy of England Rugby
