Ireland captain Fryday not among first 29 female full-time professionals

The IRFU has released the names of the 29 players who have taken up the first women's professional rugby full-time contracts on offer in this country, with Ireland XVs captain Nichola Fryday among the notable absentees.

Players' Player of the Year Sam Monaghan and Rugby Writers' Player of the Year Neve Jones have also rejected the offer of union contracts, which range in value from €15,000 to €30,000 per season before appearance fees and bonuses.

Some internationals have to chosen to remain amateur and pursue separate careers while others will be semi-pro with clubs in England rather than training full-time here.

Edel McMahon, Hannah O'Connor, Christy Haney, Emma Hooban and Katie O’Dwyer are also believed to have declined the offer, meaning Dorothy Wall, Linda Djougang, Enya Breen, Natasja Beehan, Dannah O’Brien, Méabh Deely, Leah Tarpey, Kathryn Dane, Maeve Óg O’Leary and Kayla Waldron are the specialist XVs players to have signed up.

There are 19 Sevens players who have signed, including dual-code representatives such as Beibhínn Parsons, but XVs head coach Greg McWilliams may have to do without them for the opening rounds of the Six Nations due to a clash with the Hong Kong Sevens.

The Women's XVs new full-time high performance programme officially began in Dublin on Tuesday with meetings, medical check-in and athletic profiling sessions under the direction of McWilliams.

Head of women's performance and pathways Gillian McDarby said: "It is a hugely significant day as our Women's XVs High Performance Programme gets up and running.

"A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes to ensure we have the right structures in place to support these athletes and it is an exciting time for all involved. We have 29 players contracted