Hands is an acclaimed rugby correspondent having spent 28 years covering the sport for the British newspaper The Times.

During his time with the paper he reported on six Rugby World Cups, six British and Irish Lions tours and hundreds of international matches.

Since leaving his role at The Times in 2010, Hands has reported as a freelancer on the last two Rugby World Cups and is currently the President of the Rugby Union Writers' Club.

Hands had previously sat on the World Rugby Hall of Fame panel alongside chairman John Eales, a two-time Rugby World Cup winner with Australia and a Hall of Fame inductee.

His new role will see him oversee the nomination and voting process for the 2018 inductees.

Reacting to his appointment, Hands said: "I'm delighted to be able to contribute to World Rugby's efforts to recognise influential figures in the game.

"I would also like to pay tribute to the work done for the Hall of Fame by my predecessor Chris Thau, and hope I can bring some of the same depth of knowledge of the game's history to bear."

Eales added: "I am delighted that David has accepted the offer to become secretary of the Hall of Fame.

"Few in rugby share the depth of David's knowledge, insights, passion and expertise.

"His personal integrity and the respect he has for rugby globally will be pivotal in enhancing the impact of the World Rugby Hall of Fame."

The Hall of Fame opened in November 2017, in the English town of Rugby which gives the sport its name, and allows fans to look at the history of the game through the latest high definition touch-screen technology.

The Hall of Fame charters the game’s journey from humble origins to the modern day with more than nine million people now said to be playing the sport as part of World Rugby's 121 member associations.