Kevin Potts: IRFU has 'turned a corner' with women's rugby

IRFU chief executive Kevin Potts believes the union has regained the confidence of those involved in women's rugby after a tumultuous 12 months.

Earlier this month the IRFU launched its high performance programme for women’s 15-a-side rugby, with 29 players signing professional contracts worth up to €30,000 per season.

Those contracts saw the IRFU's investment in the women's programme rise by €2.1m per annum to €5.5m.

The landmark move came less than a year after a number of prominent figures put their names to a letter written to the government saying they had lost trust and confidence in the IRFU and its leadership after "historic failings".

Details of the IRFU’s 'Women in Rugby Report’ will be announced in the coming weeks and while Potts admits there is plenty more work to be done, he feels they are on the right track.

"I've taken a very active, personal role in that process," said Potts. "I do believe we have turned a corner significantly.

"The IRFU is totally committed to putting the structures in place to drive the women’s game on.

"The report in the weeks ahead will cover areas from pathways to inclusivity to the competition models and we are determined to put those structures in place.

"It will take time, it will take years to get this right, but if it takes years that is what it will take and we need to be patient.

"We've done a lot this year, we're putting in place a professional programme and it's not just about contracts and players. We've got to put the facilities, staffing, the meeting rooms and all that stuff in place.

"There's a huge amount of work going on. I'd like to think there's trust from what we've done this year.

"There's definitely commitment."

With the €2.1m increase in investment having not been budgeted