The Rugby Football Union has completed a major overhaul of their elite rugby department, with Conor O’Shea, the former Italy head coach, to take up a new position as the governing body’s director of performance, Telegraph Sport can reveal.

O’Shea, who resigned from his position with the Italian Federation following the end of the World Cup, is to replace Nigel Melville, who it is leaving the governing body to pursue new opportunities after deciding to leave at the start of next month. Melville held the position of director of the RFU's professional rugby department, but O'Shea's new title will be Director of Performance (Rugby).

Telegraph Sport revealed last month that O’Shea had agreed to join the RFU in what is regarded as a major statement of intent by chief executive Bill Sweeney.

O’Shea is expected to take up his new post before the start of the Six Nations Championship in February, although negotiations are continuing with the Italian Federation about the terms of his notice.

Significantly, the appointment will not affect the line management of England head coach Eddie Jones, who will continue to report to Sweeney, as will O’Shea, although the pair are expected to work closely together to begin planning for the 2023 World Cup.