Earl has joined the organisation from UEFA, European football’s governing body, and has more than15 years’ experience in implementing and managing anti-doping programmes.

He has also worked for the English Football Association and for UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) during his career and he will be tasked with leading World Rugby’s anti-doping unit, including being responsible for the compliance, intelligent testing, athlete biological passport and "Keep Rugby Clean" schemes.

The Keep Rugby Clean programme aims to educate players within the game about anti-doping, including at lower levels and also in schools.

Ilaria Baudo was previously anti-doping manager for the governing body but she has left her role in order to join the World Anti-Doping Agency.

“Doping is a major threat to the integrity of sport and World Rugby is a committed and active Federation in the fight to protect clean sport,” World Rugby Bernard Lapasset said.

“This appointment in a critical area, expands our capability, ensuring the highest possible standards of testing and education as our sport continues to reach and grow in new markets worldwide.

 “In 2015 we announced a 28 per cent increase in our annual education and testing funding.

“With participation levels increasing at unprecedented rates, this record anti-doping investment represents a proactive and pragmatic approach to protect our sport and ensure a level playing field.

“It focuses on the intelligence-based testing supported by our biological passport programme and increased face-to-face and online education across multiple languages.”

Earl’s appointment comes as two rugby players in Wales were given bans by UKAD.

Ryan Watkins and Shaun Cleary, who both play for Welsh National League Division One West Central the Maesteg Harlequins, have been suspended for doping violations.

UKAD have suspended Watkins, the 23-year-old lock, for four years after he tested positive for the anabolic steroid nandrolone and the stimulant methylhexaneamine following a pre-season friendly between Maesteg Harlequins and the Bridgend Ravens.

Cleary, who plays as a hooker, has been banned for two years after returning a positive test for benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite, after the same match on August 18.

Watkins’ ban is backdated to September 12 last year and his suspension will run until September 11, 2019.

Cleary, meanwhile, will be out of action until October 10, 2017.

The bans for the pair bring the total number of rugby players currently suspended by UKAD to 18.

A further 23 have already served sanctions imposed by UKAD, meaning 41 players have received bans from the organisation in the last five years.