Breaking IRFU apologise to women's team but report not published

The IRFU has apologised for its management of the women's game, saying it had 'fallen short' of its own aspirations, but has reneged on a commitment to publish the findings of an independent review.

Last year, 62 former and current women's players wrote to the Department of Sport, saying they had lost 'all confidence' in the IRFU over how they run women's rugby.

In a statement, the IRFU says it has accepted all of the recommendations in the independent review, although its findings have not been made public.

They say they will spend an extra €1million on women's rugby and will create two new roles.

The Union says it has met with players representatives and Sport Ireland and says all parties are satisfied with the outcome.

The report details 30 recommendations, including improved preparation, facilities, video analysis, nutrition, training and coaching for women players.

"For me, this was, first and foremost, about listening to the player group and understanding their concerns. It was also important to ensure that the players had faith in the process and in our desire to work collaboratively," said Kevin Potts, the IRFU chief executive, in a statement.

"I have already had several meetings with representatives of the player group and have formally apologised to them on behalf of the IRFU."

Yesterday the IRFU director of women's and sevens rugby Anthony Eddy resigned with immediate effect.

He had come under severe pressure in November, after he tried to defend the union's perceived prioritisation of the sevens game in Ireland in recent years.

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