The 41-year-old will remain at hand to ensure a smooth transition in the build-up to the new season although the recruitment process to appoint his successor will be underway shortly, it has been announced.

A former player who won two blues as a scrum half at Cambridge University before finding his niche in coaching, Ryan has been the longest serving coach in English Sevens history in a tenure which has spanned over 250 matches.

Ryan achieved a best overall result of third place on three separate occasions and finished in sixth in the latest campaign behind champions New Zealand.

Ben Ryan will stand down after six successful years in charge


He will also be joined in departure by assistant coach Russell Earnshaw , who leaves to take up a teaching position at Eastbourne College, and after a successful time together Ryan feels the time is right to move on:

"I'm proud of what England Sevens has achieved in the last six years but I have decided that it is right for me and my career progress that I move on and let someone new take the side forward," Ryan said.

"I've loved working as England Sevens head coach and enjoyed every minute in a time of dramatic change for the sport and the squad.

"In 2007 I met one player for the first time at the airport heading for a tournament; six years later we have a full-time England squad operating to the highest professional standards.

"We've been the leading Northern Hemisphere side throughout that period and we've recorded some great tournament victories - including eight individual wins over New Zealand - as well as reaching a World Cup final for the first time in 20 years.

"As a coach your goal is always to leave something in better shape to pass on to the next generation and I believe that's been achieved."

Ben Ryan's England team celebrating after winning the 2011 Dubai Sevens competition


Ryan led the side through 56 World Series tournaments, reaching the semi-finals or better 28 times and winning titles in Wellington, Dubai and London, as well as finishing third overall in the series in 2008, 2011 and 2012.

He also oversaw the team's transition to a full-time programme in 2010-2011 and leaves a secure team with 19 contracted players preparing for the start of the new season in October - with the sport's 2016 Olympic debut another eventual goal.

Among 11 of his players who have gone on to represent England at senior 15-side level are brothers Ben and Tom Youngs, who each also featured in the British and Irish Lions series victory over Australia in July.

"Ben deserves a tremendous vote of thanks for all his efforts while in charge of the England Sevens team," said Ian Ritchie, chief executive of the Rugby Football Union.

"He has made an important contribution both to England and to the development of the sport globally during a period of great change following its inclusion in the 2016 Olympics.

"He will leave firm foundations in place and a full-time squad who will be ambitious to make an impact next season in the HSBC Sevens World Series and at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow."

Dan Norton, England's top try scorer in the 2012-2013 season, is one of the young stars ensuring the team stands in good stead ahead of  Glasgow 2014 and Rio 2016


England's 15 a-side head coach Stuart Lancaster also echoed the thanks, and said: "Ben's made a major impact on and off the field in developing our sevens programme and making sure the team achieves high standards in international competition.

"He's a first class coach who has helped his players fulfil their potential and many of them have benefited from his guidance on the way to senior international honours.

"I'm sure he will go on to achieve more great things and I wish him all the best for his future career."