Leicester Tigers have announced a change to the structure of the club's pathway into senior rugby with the appointment of Ged Glynn to the role of head of rugby operations.
Glynn, who has coached the likes of London Irish, England A and the Spanish national team, joined Tigers in 2010 as the club's chief scout.
The additional responsibilities in his new role will include management of both the academy and the intermediate group of players to effect a more seamless transition from junior to senior ranks.
Tigers chief executive Simon Cohen said Glynn would bring a huge amount of experience to the role.
"Ged's experience, particularly in coaching both young players and in the Championship, will ensure that the club is best able to provide the talent within the academy and the right exposure at the right time to make the step up to the first team," he said.
England and British & Irish Lions players Tom Croft, Dan Cole, Manu Tuilagi and Tom and Ben Youngs are among the high-profile players who have come through the Tigers academy in recent years.
The most recent graduates to earn first-team recognition include front-rowers Fraser Balmain, Tiziano Pasquali and Harry Thacker.
Former manager Neil McCarthy has left the academy.
