FORMER Otley star Nigel Melville believes he will move to Twickenham's corridors of power at a "very buoyant time" for English rugby.

Melville, whose previous jobs included rugby director roles at Premiership clubs Wasps and Gloucester, will be responsible for professional rugby in England for the Rugby Football Union, with particular focus around managing relationships with Premiership Rugby, the English-qualified player scheme, the EPS (elite player squad) agreement and the academy system.

He will succeed fellow Yorkshireman Rob Andrew as the RFU's director of professional rugby.

Andrew's ten-year Twickenham stint, during which time he held a number of senior roles, will finish at the end of this season after his resignation was announced on Friday.

Melville takes up the post following a highly successful spell as USA Rugby chief executive.

"I would like to thank USA Rugby for their support, and I am very proud of what has been achieved in the organisation and the game in the US over the last decade," said former England scrum half and captain Melville.

"I feel I am leaving USA Rugby in a very strong place to continue the growth it has experienced in recent years and keep improving internationally.

"However, I am now hugely excited about this opportunity to join England Rugby in what is a very buoyant time.

"This year already, the men have claimed the Grand Slam, the domestic game has continued to thrive, we are looking to win the World Rugby Under-20 Junior World Championship in Manchester, and the men and women will compete in the sevens competition at the Olympics in Rio for the first time ever."