The International Rugby Board (IRB) has appointed Robert Brophy as acting chief executive after Mike Miller stepped down from the post after 10 years.

Brophy, who currently works as the IRB’s chief financial officer, “has been appointed acting Chief Executive of Rugby’s global governing body and acting Managing Director of Rugby World Cup Limited”, the IRB said in a statement.

“Appointed by the executive committee, Irishman Brophy will take up his new position on February 1 to continue to drive forward the IRB’s core business while a thorough independent recruitment process for a permanent successor to Mike Miller is conducted.”