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Some of the participants in the wristband protest from the Cooke's RFC. Cooke's Women's RFC

Rugby clubs in Ireland and England are protesting against IRFU's advert for new women's head coach

Players have been pictured wearing wristbands that read ‘legacy’ on them.

RUGBY CLUBS ACROSS Ireland and the UK are participating in a protest to show their solidarity with the Ireland women’s rugby team.

Players are wearing wristbands bearing the word ‘legacy’ on them, to highlight their outrage at the advertisement for the new Women’s XV’s head coach, which many feel has been downgraded in status.

The IRFU published the advert to replace Tom Tierney during the week, seven weeks after Tierney stepped down at the end of Ireland’s disappointing World Cup campaign.

Tierney had a full-time, three year deal with the IRFU. His successor however will be appointed on a “part-time, casual” basis over a six-month period.

Recently retired and current players expressed their disappointment  at the change in the job specifications.

The IRFU subsequently released a statement defending their decision, and insisted that they were not downgrading the role.

There is still a palpable sense of frustration among rugby communities, and a protest has been arranged to show solidarity with the Women’s XVs team.

A statement on the Old Belvo Women Twitter page reads:

The disrespect shown in advertising the role of head coach for the times 6 Nations Champions and previous World Cup semi-finalists speaks volumes for the priority the women’s game holds for the executives in Landsdowne Road.

“This Sunday our players will take to the field wearing wristbands that read ‘LEGACY.’ What legacy has the women’s game in Ireland been left with post World Cup.”

The uptake of the protest seems to be gathering momentum as the pressure mounts on the IRFU.

 

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IRFU denies it has downgraded women’s head coach role and ‘regrets any upset caused’

‘I think it degrades the system itself to post something as “casual” and “part-time”‘

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Sinead Farrell
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