The Rugby Football Union is to appoint full time managers for National Academy / U21 teams and for Rugby Sevens. These positions will support the primary objective of the RFU’s Strategic Plan for the Elite game in England, namely to win the World Cup in 2007.

Key performance targets for the manager of the National Academy/U21s will include winning the SANZAR tournament by 2003 and sustaining a position in the top three thereafter. The Rugby Sevens role will involve identifying potential Sevens players, working with other England team managers and coaches, development staff and the professional clubs to achieve world class performance standards in player care and development as well as playing excellence.

Said Chris Spice, RFU Performance Director, "These appointments are integral to the success of the Performance Department. The National Academy/U21 Manager will play a vital role in identifying and developing our England stars of the future. We have a clear mission to win our home Commonwealth Games in Manchester and, the 7's Manager will have this as his first key objective."