Rugby: Ex-Wasps chief to lead Edinburgh

Former London Wasps and Queens Park Rangers chief 
executive David Davies has been appointed managing 
director of Edinburgh Rugby.

Davies takes over the running of the Murrayfield club from Craig Docherty, who will complete a transition into his new role as Scottish Rugby’s head of retail and product licensing.

Davies’ most recent posting was as chief executive responsible for running the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand’s biggest indoor stadium and host of four 2011 Rugby World Cup pool matches.

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He moves to the Capital with 28 years of international leisure, events and sports management experience, and as well as his time with Wasps and QPR, also boasts a stint as the chairman of British Ice Hockey on his CV.

He enjoyed a four-year spell as chief executive at Loftus Road with the then npower Championship side before switching to rugby for a further three influential years as chief executive of then Heineken Cup champions Wasps.

He established the club in their new Adams Park home in High Wycombe and played a key role in the creation of the Anglo-Welsh Cup.

Davies said: “I’d like to thank Craig Docherty and his team for all the hard work that pre-dates my appointment, and look forward to working with them in the coming seasons to build on their successes.

“I feel privileged to get this opportunity as there is a huge amount of potential in the club from which a very bright future can be shaped. It’s a very exciting time for the club and I’m delighted to be part of it.”

Davies will start in the post full-time on Monday.

Meanwhile, Edinburgh confirmed Fijian No. 8 Netani Talei would be leaving the club when his contract expires in May.

The 30-year-old, who has made 51 appearances since joining from Worcester in 2010, is signing for Newport Gwent Dragons.

Talei said: “I’d like to thank the club, the coaches, the players and the fans for making me feel right at home in Edinburgh for a fantastic three years.

“ While I’ll miss a lot of great friends at the club, I’m looking forward to the next change.”