FORMER England captain Nigel Melville has emerged as a surprise candidate for the vacant Scarlets chief executive post.

Melville, currently chief executive of USA Rugby, is understood to be on a shortlist to replace the retiring Stuart Gallacher.

The 48-year-old former scrum-half has been a director of rugby at Wasps and Gloucester and moved to the States to take up his new role three years ago.

The region are set to make an announcement on Gallacher's replacement next month.