OShea will oversee the network of 14 England regional academies and will lead the selection and monitoring of players capable of developing into future England internationals.

He will be assisted by David Shaw, who has been a key figure in establishing the regional academy system.

OShea said: I look on this move to Twickenham as a huge challenge and one I simply could not turn down.

I have been fortunate enough to be a player, captain, director of rugby and most recently managing director of London Irish.

Ive enjoyed a lot of exciting times with my club and my country and am now keen to take on this new challenge.

The RFUs regional academies are blazing a trail of identifying players who dream one day of playing for England.

Thanks to David Shaw, the system is progressing well and Im looking forward to working with him, the 12 Premiership clubs, Bristol and the South West, where the other two academies are based, and Brian Ashton who is running the National Academy in Bath.

I can see so much potential for moving the academy network onto another level and that excites me enormously.