The Rugby Football Union has already begun preparations for the 2023 World Cup in France by appointing Conor O’Shea, the Italy head coach, to take up a senior position in their professional rugby department.

Even as the England players were on Saturday celebrating their stunning 19-7 World Cup semi-final victory over New Zealand in Yokohama, it is understood that RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney was in the advanced stages of planning the next four-year cycle by reaching an agreement with O’Shea to join the governing body.

The appointment was on Saturday described as a “major statement of intent” by Sweeney, given O’Shea’s wide experience of operating on the international stage.

Although his main role has been that of Italian head coach for the past four years, he held a broader remit and was tasked with creating the building blocks for the development of the sport throughout the country.

O’Shea also boasts considerable experience in the Premiership, having guided Harlequins to the league title when he was director of rugby in 2012.