The Welsh Rugby Union appointed a sports executive search firm yesterday to assist with recruitment of its new group chief executive.

The role becomes vacant from October 31 when current chief executive Roger Lewis steps down following a nine-year tenure.

And the WRU announced the appointment of Sports Recruitment International to identify potential candidates.

WRU chairman Gareth Davies said: “We are delighted to have been able to appoint a firm with the expertise and stature which SRI has in the sporting executive market-place.

“We have already carried out extensive preparatory work on this project and SRI is perfectly placed to interpret our needs and identify the best candidates for the job.

“The clear priority is to recruit the very best person to take Welsh rugby forward as we manage the inevitable challenges and take advantage of all the opportunities which lie ahead.”

The WRU said that SRI has prepared a candidate brief in association with senior WRU figures to identify suitable individuals.