First chief executive of the IRFU appointed

The IRFU last night appointed Philip Browne as the first chief executive in the 125-year history of Irish rugby's governing body. The necessary changes to the laws of the Union were made at the AGM to pave the way for an immediate meeting of the newly elected committee. The IRFU in turn then ratified the appointment of Browne who has been on the staff of the IRFU since 1992, firstly as an administrative officer and since 1995 as the secretary/treasurer. The newly elected president of the union, Billy Lavery, who succeeded Noel Murphy, said: "It is a very challenging role and I am especially pleased to announce the appointment of Philip Browne to this critical role."

In other elections, Terenure College's Eddie Coleman becomes the senior vice president with Ulster's Roy Loughead fulfilling the junior vice president's role.

IRFU funds currently stand at £21 million it was reported, an increase of £5 million, while the Union has net assets of £28,410,915, an improvement of £2.5 million on the previous year. On the issue of the IRFU's continuing research on a new stadium, Murphy confirmed that they were awaiting the results of a feasibility study commissioned by Taoiseach Bertie Aherne. The outcome is expected latter this summer and depending on its findings, the IRFU will then assess its position.

The expense of running the senior national side - players, and coach costs - was £6,014,021, an increase of £1.4 million on the previous season. Other noted expenditure was the purchase of Thomond Park for "considerably less than £1 million," according to treasurer John Lyons.

On the subject of anti-doping procedures, the union commissioned 126 drug tests through the UK Sports Council this season, including in-competition testing at international and domestic matches. Members of the national, provincial and Academy squads were also screened.

IRFU Officers: President: Billy Lavery; Senior Vice President: Eddie Coleman; Junior Vice President: Roy Loughead; Chief Executive: Philip Browne; Honorary Treasurer: John Lyons; International Board Representatives: Syd Millar, Tom Kiernan; Committee: John Quilligan, Peter Boyle, Stan Waldron, Jim Stevenson, Barry Keogh, Andy Crawford.