Rugby Union

The International Rugby Football Board has appointed the 52-year- old American-born Irishman, Thomas J Wacker, to the newly-created position of chief executive. Wacker will supervise and co-ordinate the transfer of IRFB activities from Bristol to Dublin.

Kitch Christie, who coached South Africa to victory over the New Zealand All Blacks in last year's World Cup final, resigned yesterday for personal reasons related to a long-standing health problem. He will be replaced by Andre Markgraaff with Ray Mordt remaining as assistant coach.