The IRFU has received and formally accepted a list of 30 recommendations published today in the independent review from Amanda Bennett, of FairPlay Ltd., commissioned in October 2021 by the IRFU Management Committee following the failure to qualify for Rugby World Cup ‘21.

20 of the recommendations are already being progressed with the remaining ten largely just awaiting the appointment of a new Head of Women’s Performance and Pathway.

That role is about to be advertised and the new appointee will take on overall responsibility for the Women’s game, backed up by an additional €1 million in funding also announced today.

As reported on Sport for Business earlier Gemma Crowley is expected to be named as the new Women’s 15’s Manager, reprising the role she held in 2012 when Ireland won the Grand Slam.

All in all, then it was a positive morning for Women’s rugby.

Narrative

The narrative could have swung the other way when it was revealed that only the recommendations and not the full report would be published but this was defended strongly by Amanda Bennett saying that “we would be quite fierce in our commitment to confidentiality and that there would be no attribution to individuals of comments they made as part of the review.”

The IRFU was unequivocally advised that publication of the full report could be seen as a breach of confidentiality for those who participated in it, a view which was said to be “understood by the players’ representatives who are satisfied the requests they made throughout discussions have been met.”

Bennet further revealed that the report was “focused primarily on the process and the programme rather than on individuals.”

Anthony Eddy, the former head of Women’s Rugby and Sevens became so way last night when resigning from his position with immediate effect thereby clearing the way for the appointment of a specific person to manage the Women’s rugby side.

Prior to a lunchtime media briefing and publication of the report, the IRFU has met with players, Sport Ireland and other stakeholders to apprise them of what would be in the report.

Interviews

The independent review was based on the outcome of interviews with players, high-performance and performance programme staff, amongst others.

Surveys sent to 64 players and 29 staff involved at the top level of the game drew 53 and 31 per cent responses which certainly could have been higher but which Bennet also defended as being a sufficient number to draw firm conclusions and highlight recurring themes.

“Rugby is a values-based sport and the IRFU is a values-based organisation,” said CEO Kevin Potts.

“Our vision for Irish Rugby, as set out in our Strategic Plan 2018 – 2023, is based on ‘Building success together’. We have fallen short of this aspiration in our women’s game. However, we are committed to putting this right and we regard the recommendations of this independent review as a solid basis from which to reignite the long-term development of women’s rugby in Ireland.”

“The announcement of these recommendations is just one milestone on a journey that has already commenced, with the work undertaken over the past number of months now beginning to yield visible results. As part of the entire process, we have listened directly to the player’s concerns, and we understand their desire to see changes implemented that will address the issues which contributed to the failure to qualify for the Rugby World Cup and to further develop the women’s game and lay strong foundations and pathways for success in the future. Indeed, we strongly share this desire. This independent review was commissioned to identify reasons for failure to qualify for the Rugby World Cup, areas for improvement and to inform meaningful action. We accept the recommendations in full; we are already acting upon them, many are already in place, and we believe that the implementation of the recommendations will form the basis of genuine long-term progress at the top end of our women’s game.”

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

“The players asked the IRFU for changes that will have a long-term positive impact on the Women’s International Teams into the future. I believe what we have announced today provides a strong starting point, underpinned as it is by the IRFU’s commitment to c €1milion in additional resourcing to implement these recommendations. Most importantly of all, I want to assure all aspiring women’s players that they have the full support of the IRFU to achieve their ambitions.”

“Finally, as the countdown for this season’s TikTok Women’s Six Nations Championship begins let me wish Greg McWilliams, Niamh Briggs, their management team and all the players who will attend this weekend’s opening squad session every good luck in their campaign and assure them of the full support of the IRFU.”

The full list of recommendations and how they are being addressed can be read below: