The IRB has stated the decision was made following discussions with chairman Bernard Lapasset, as the Board engages on a new four-year cycle after last year’s World Cup in New Zealand. IRB Council members last month re-elected Lapasset as chairman, with former England captain Bill Beaumont edged out by 14 votes to 12 in the final ballot.

In his 10 years at the helm at the IRB and Rugby World Cup Limited, Miller has overseen three successful World Cups, the re-inclusion of rugby into the Olympic Games, the expansion and growth of the HSBC Sevens World Series and the creation of the IRB’s Strategic Investment Programme and Union Fund which have brought an increase in funding to Tier 1 and Tier 2 Unions and emerging major market countries.

“Rugby is in a great place as it looks forward to Rugby World Cups in England and Japan, Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow, Women’s Rugby World Cup in France and the Olympics in Rio in 2016,” said Miller. “The game has grown around the world and with its major events going to Asia and Eastern Europe for the first time the platform has been established for rugby to become a truly global sport.”

Lapasset added: “Mike has achieved much during his 10 years at the IRB which is a much stronger organisation than when he joined in 2002. The game is in great shape and the IRB is ready to take on the challenges of continuing to grow rugby around the world and in particular to ensure that the Tier 1 countries are strong and secure, the Tier 2 countries continue to improve and grow, and the emerging major market countries become competitive as soon as possible.”