A NEW chief executive is to be appointed to the Ulster Branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union. The post, which will be advertised today, is the second major appointment by the Branch.

The chief executive role in Ulster rugby will be that of an overseer and it will be expected that he will mastermind the strategic development of the game throughout the province, which is now seen as particularly important because of the new professional era.

The post of director old rugby has been offered to Clive Griffiths who will succeed Tony Russ, the first professional coach employed by Ulster. Griffiths will now be responsible for the senior Ulster team and will also co ordinate coaching.

The chief executive, who will report to the Branch officers, will have total responsibility for administration, financial control, marketing of sponsorships, corporate entertaining and the promotion of the Ulster Branch.

Chairman of the appointments committee John McCormish said: "Times have changed and we are determined to produce rugby in this province which can competed with the best. To do so we now need skills and application which must be full time and professionally applied. The game is changing fast and we must change with it.