The Rugby Football Union, the governing body of rugby union in Britain, has announced the introduction of an official licensing system for player agents, to begin next Sunday.

Agents will need to be either on the RFU's approved list, a solicitor or barrister, or a close relative of the player they are representing.

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RFU Council member Peter Baines will chair the Agents Review Board, which will monitor the system. "The principal objective for this scheme is to create a level of quality control within this area of our sport and to drive standards upwards," he told the Press Association. "Agents are an important cog in the business of rugby. It is important there is an approved list to assist both clubs and players in not only choosing their representatives, but avoiding any who have shown bad practice."