World Rugby has appointed a new general counsel, with the former group legal director of the Football Association (FA), Alistair Maclean, picking up the lead legal role at rugby union's international governing body.

Maclean, who trained at Bird & Bird, will join World Rugby in January next year after a year at ASB Law, where he was a consultant.

He previously spent 11 years at the FA leading a legal team of 14, managing all legal aspects of the multimillion-pound media rights associated with the England team, as well as overseeing a portfolio of litigation matters.

At World Rugby he will be responsible for providing contractual and regulatory advice to the organisation, which governs a sport played by 7.3 million people and organises events including the Rugby World Cup, the World Rugby Sevens Series and the Pacific Nationals Cup.

Maclean replaces Susan Ahern in his new role, who left World Rugby earlier this year.

Maclean said: "I'm a big believer in collaboration and I'm looking forward to working with the game's stakeholders as World Rugby continues to grow the sport globally. Sustainable growth is built on solid foundations and jointly we must ensure the continued protection and promotion of rugby's integrity in order that it thrives for the next generation."

In July this year, Herbert Smith Freehills and Bird & Bird landed adviser roles when the Rugby Football Union (RFU) signed an eight-year partnership deal with English Premiership Rugby.

The £200m deal allowed the RFU to gain access to a wider squad of players for training and preparation for England team matches in return for a greater financial investment by the governing body.