THE IRFU HAS moved to clarify the situation regarding the vacant national women’s team head coach position by denying it has downgraded the role despite advertising it on a part-time, six-month basis.

In a statement released this afternoon, the IRFU says that it ‘regrets any upset caused’ and will appoint a full-time coach ‘if necessary’ once the ongoing strategic review of the women’s programme is completed.

Tom Tierney resigned from the job in the aftermath of Ireland’s disastrous home World Cup back in August, with the IRFU’s decision to advertise a part-time vacancy — seven weeks later — causing widespread anger and condemnation.

The union say that while Tierney was hired on a full-time basis as part of wholesale changes to the women’s coaching structure back in 2014, his remit within the organisation was not exclusively as XVs head coach.

While confirming that a review of the entire programme is currently ongoing in anticipation of developing a long-term strategy for the 2021 World Cup and beyond, the IRFU states that it is seeking to appoint a coach on an interim basis to work with the team until the end of the 2018 Six Nations campaign.

The statement read: “The IRFU wishes to address the confusion that has arisen in recent days regarding the coaching position for the Ireland Women’s team. The IRFU regrets any upset that it has caused.

“Contrary to recent comment, the IRFU has not downgraded the coaching role in relation to the Ireland Women’s team. While the outgoing coach was employed on a full-time basis, he was, as confirmed in the announcement of his appointment in December 2014  a shared resource across the Women’s XVs and Sevens programmes. He was not exclusively employed as a full-time Ireland Women’s XVs coach.

Jenny Murphy is among the players to have voiced their frustration. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

“The IRFU confirms that it is in the process of reviewing the entire structure of the women’s game in order to develop the next long-term strategy as we build to the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup, and beyond.

“Based on the experience of the most recent structure, which saw the sharing of time between the Women’s XVs and Sevens programmes, the IRFU is seeking to appoint a coach on an interim basis, to work exclusively with the Ireland Women’s XV team, until the end of the 2018 Women’s Six Nations. As confirmed already, this coaching position will be re-examined fully after the tournament, as part of the wider IRFU review.

“At a recent press conference in Dublin, Performance Director, David Nucifora spoke of the need to examine the women’s game from grassroots level up. This will ensure appropriate levels of competition in the domestic game, and foster the development of players with international potential.

“The Women’s programme has received a significant increase in investment in recent years, with a full-time Director of Rugby and a full-time Women’s programme manager as well as back-room resources such as strength and conditioning, physio and nutrition professionals.

“The person who takes on the Ireland Women’s XVs team coaching role will work with, and report into, the Director of Rugby.

“It is important that, on conclusion of the on-going review, the IRFU is in a position to appoint staff, including a head coach, full-time if necessary, who can deliver to the long-term strategy identified.”

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