NEWPORT Gwent Dragons will need to find a new chief executive after Gareth Davies was appointed as chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union.

The former Wales and Lions fly-half was elected as the successor to David Pickering at a meeting of the governing body’s board at the Millennium Stadium this evening.

Davies, who took the reins at Rodney Parade last summer, was elected as a WRU national representative in last month.

He was persuaded to stand for the role of chairman and, after being successful, has informed the Dragons that he will no longer be able to continue as the region’s chief executive.

Davies said: “It is a fantastic honour to be elected chairman of the WRU and I will aim to live up to my old Gwendraeth School moto which is: "There is no honour without responsibility.”

"I want to thank the board of directors for their support and confidence in my ability to represent the WRU in this prodigious role.

“I have also been encouraged by the support I have already received from so many grassroots clubs.

“I also want to personally thank the departing chairman, David Pickering, for the immense contribution he has made across the past eleven years he held this post.

“We must continue to evolve and develop to seize the opportunities and meet the challenges ahead and I am determined to ensure the WRU is a governing body we can be proud of.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues on the board, the executive and staff of the WRU and everyone involved in our sport to ensure we build on the success of recent years.”