GERAINT John has been appointed to the executive board of the Welsh Rugby Union as its new head of rugby performance.

John returned to Wales in September as the WRU's elite coach development manager after ten years working abroad.

He was Canada's high performance manager and then sevens head coach before joining the Australia Rugby Union with responsibility for sevens in June 2014.

The former Wales assistant/skills coach, who has also coached at Llanelli, Cardiff Met and Cardiff Blues, takes up one of two new WRU executive board positions created to replace the head of rugby post recently vacated by Josh Lewsey.

He will work alongside a new head of rugby participation, allowing him to focus on the professional game in Wales, with his new colleague – yet to be appointed – tasked with giving the amateur game a voice at Welsh rugby's top table.

John will focus on the professional and semi-professional game in Wales, developing the high performance strategy and ensuring a close working relationship between national team management, regional and Principality Premiership coaches.

"I'm thrilled and very honoured to be taking on the challenge of a role which is so integral to both the current and future success of our national game," said John.

"It is highly significant that Martyn (Phillips, chief executive) has identified the need to split the former head of rugby role into two parts to allow each of us to focus on and therefore do justice to each key area.

"I am looking forward to working closely with the regions, the Premiership clubs and everyone concerned so that collectively we can ensure that Wales reaches its potential and beyond on the world stage, as part of the high performance program."

"Geraint has impressed everyone since his return to Welsh rugby last year," said Phillips.

"His 10 years away from Wales have benefited him hugely exposing him to high performance environments, World Cups and the Sevens circuit and working with governing bodies and World Rugby.

"Even more importantly he is a natural collaborator and relationships builder. I'm in no doubt that he will be a catalyst for greater alignment and common purpose in the professional game in Wales."