WELSH Rugby Union chief executive Roger Lewis is to leave his role at the end of this year’s World Cup.

Lewis has been at the helm of the governing body since taking over from David Moffett in 2006 but is stepping down at the end of October.

The 60-year-old’s spell has coincided with plenty of on-field success under head coach Warren Gatland, who he appointed in 2007.

However, his critics say that on his watch Welsh rugby has become too obsessed with the Test scene at the detriment of the grassroots game with not enough money trickling down.

Lewis, chairman of the Cardiff Capital Region advisory board, is now preparing for a fresh challenge.

“It has been a fantastic and memorable journey both on and off the pitch and I would like to thank the board of the WRU for their backing during some challenging times and for my colleagues who have been unstinting in their support for me both personally and professionally,” he said.

“The time is right for me to move forward and by announcing this in advance now, we are ensuring that the transition can be well managed in the best interests of Welsh rugby.

“The WRU is now in a strong position to seize the opportunities and face the inevitable challenges of the future and I wish my successor well for the adventure ahead.”

Lewis was a central figure in the spat between the WRU and the four regions as they attempted to thrash out a fresh participation agreement.

At the height of the tense negotiations Cardiff Blues chairman Peter Thomas said: “There is a desire within the regions to work with the WRU but there is no appetite from the regions to work with Roger Lewis. We have no confidence in him.”

Nonetheless, a deal was agreed last August and a twist in the tale came when Gareth Davies, who had been on the regions’ side of the table as chief executive of Newport Gwent Dragons, was voted in first as a national representative and then chairman, replacing David Pickering.

Davies said last autumn that he was prepared to work alongside Lewis – “People fall out in all walks of life, not that I have particularly fallen out with Roger” – but is now preparing to find his successor.

The chairman said: “We recognise the massive contribution Roger has made to the growth of Welsh rugby both on the field and off the field and respect his decision to step down after the World Cup, which allows us time to find a successor and to build upon Roger’s success.”