PHILIP BROWNE will retire from his role as IRFU Chief Executive at the end of this year.
The association today announced their long standing CEO will bring an end to his 23 years in charge of Irish Rugby.
Browne joined the IRFU in 1992 and become the CEO in 1998 and will walk away on December 31st.
He said in a statement: “It has long been my intention to retire from the role of Chief Executive to coincide with reaching the age of 60.
“I delayed my decision, given the recent extraordinary pressures on Irish rugby, as a result of the Covid Pandemic.
I now believe we are at a point where it is possible to commence plotting a sustainable route out of the pandemic and engage in a structured approach to future longer-term planning, hence the announcement of my decision at this time
“It has been a privilege to serve as Chief Executive and while undoubtedly it has been a pressurised and challenging role it has, in equal measure, been a truly exciting and rewarding career.
“I would like to thank the various Union committees with whom I have worked and the staff of the Union for their unwavering support as, together, we oversaw the constant changes required to ensure the Union remained relevant to its constituents and the world game.