Melville secures USA Rugby role

Melville left Gloucester in May 2005 after three years at Kingsholm

Former Gloucester and Wasps boss Nigel Melville has been appointed as chief executive officer and president of rugby operations for USA Rugby.

Melville was originally going for the rugby president role but officials decided to combine both positions after he impressed in the interview.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who loves rugby," he said.

"I feel that everything I have done in the past has led me to this, and I am just really excited to get started."

Melville, who won 13 caps for England before a broken ankle ended his career, won the league title in 1997 as well as two Tetley's Bitter Cups with Wasps before joining Gloucester in 2002.

He was replaced by Dean Ryan in the summer of 2005 after a disappointing season which saw the club record only five wins after Christmas.

Melville, however, insists his coaching career so far gives him the necessary experience to take his new role with the USA.

"The fact that I have been coaching and working in both the professional and amateur rugby business for over 10 years now has really helped me prepare for this position," he said.

The USA defeated Uruguay last weekend to qualify for next year's World Cup in France and are in the same group as England, South Africa and Samoa.

Officials are now determined to develop the game outside of the World Cup.

There are plans for a Tri-Nations tournament involving Canada and Argentina as well as the creation of four regional teams to compete in a cross-border Super 12-style competition.