Womens' rugby Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

timothydec77 · 10-11-2021 9:51am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118058375#Comment_118058375

The older i become the more cynical i become.

This is all about the optics of progress rather than actual progres.

FoFo1254122 · 11-11-2021 1:47pm

Can someone explain why those comments by eddy are wrong?

what Exactly did he say in that interview that was incorrect

i know the players and ex players won’t like it because it points the blame at the players for not qualifying, but I assumed this was true and accepted as true by all parties involved

I don’t get it

Larbre34 · 11-11-2021 5:14pm

Read it verbatim. All he said was they, them, they're. It projected all the blame onto the playing squad. There was no sense of the inclusion of his stewardship and that of the outgoing Head Coach and his staff being under scrutiny (which of course it is). It was totally misjudged as well as mistimed.

He has apologised to the Squad according to captain Ciara Griffin, but she didn't back him in the same breath. In fact five or six experienced current players, including Lindsay Peat, have come out today to specifically back Cliodhna Maloney.

The review is due out in six to eight weeks, although I'm sure that like RWC19, Nucifora will limit circulation to internal only. Now that Griggs is gone though, you'd have to imagine Eddy is in trouble, if only to have responsibility for the women's game removed from him, because the 7s success is unquestionable.

connemara man · 11-11-2021 5:41pm

It blames the last 7 years on the women not qualifying

Like overall in the past 7 years the women's team has at best plateaued while everyone else has improved or at worst regressed

The women do and have put their hands up and say in those couple of weeks they didn't perform

But every thing else around the game is on Eddy, him saying we have contracted 15s player's when we only have contracted 7s player's who play 15s

How he is hands off on AIL and Interpro rugby is shocking he's the head of the Women's game.

Given where The women's game is internationally compared to when he took over 7 years ago it's shocking the lack of acknowledgement that he had anything to do with it.

It feels like he doesn't know his job, and it's not his fault

FoFo1254122 · 11-11-2021 6:16pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118151833#Comment_118151833

I still don’t get why what he said that was so wrong

the ladies team are resourced better than they have ever been

if you take the last set of games where they lost to Spain and Scotland , the quality level of the Irish players is poor. Fly half is a serious problem position and has been a few years. Very very low standard.

across the bacK line the quality is average, how can anyone blame and eddy for this?

sydthebeat · 11-11-2021 7:38pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118152141#Comment_118152141

how can you blame the emergency of "average" back line players on the guy who is over player development since 2014 and whos remit covers both sevens and 15s rugby??

are you actually serious ??

from IRFU:

Anthony holds overall responsibility for Ireland’s Women’s Programme, which incorporates Sevens and XV programme, along with the Women’s player-pathway.

FoFo1254122 · 11-11-2021 9:17pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118152647#Comment_118152647

so the continuous drop in standard of the ladies team since 2014 that included a complete disaster in hosting the World Cup and culminating in the embarrassment of not qualifying for the World Cup all blame lies with everybody involved but the players

that's handy

the players are not good enough, and no matter what spin the players and the irfu attempt nothing will change that harsh fact

Larbre34 · 11-11-2021 9:48pm

Of course it involves the players, eight or nine absolutely top drawer women have retired in that time.

But the failing of a plausible pathway, of a structured season that has girls playing games and not kicking their heels or off in interminable camps, thats all on Eddy.

2013 - Ireland Grand Slam

2014 - Ireland beat New Zealand at WC in France and reach Semi-final.

Oct 2014 - Anthony Eddy appointed director of women's and 7s rugby

March 2015 - Ireland 6N winners, including a triple crown.

March 2015 to November 2021 - a blank, including a disastrous home World Cup and a failure to Qualify for the 2022 edition, for the first time since the inaugural in 1991.

Don't tell me thats a player-centric issue.

FoFo1254122 · 11-11-2021 10:53pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118153293#Comment_118153293

the quality of players available in the earlier part of the last decade are far superior to what available now

It does not matter who takes over women’s rugby or whether the female players are made fully professionals, it is a poor squad of players.

even the top supposedly top names like considine and Griffin and Moloney at hooker are average players with poor positioning and hand skills.

molloyjh · 12-11-2021 12:00am

Wouldn’t it be good then if there were a person who had several years in a job to try to address things like playing numbers, development pathways, access to quality coaching/facilities, access to game time and all of those things that lead to successful environments……

Caranica · 12-11-2021 1:27am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118153691#Comment_118153691

When was the last time you were at a women's match? Because what you're claiming doesn't tie up with reality.

If you watched the women's Interprovincial series you'd know that some of our best 15s players were left at home while the squad in Italy had far too many 7s specialists but the IRFU wanted value for money with these players and also wanted them match fit so they were dropped into the squad and team instead.

If you're talking in terms of 6 Nations, French women are fully professional, England semi professional, both with proper setups, facilities and supports.

The IRFU have clearly stated that their focus on women's rugby is 7s, not 15s so are not investing, not working with the clubs here but are happy to farm out forwards to England and France.

Don't get me wrong, I love 7s but not to the detriment of 15s.

FoFo1254122 · 12-11-2021 2:06am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118154328#Comment_118154328

Name the players who were wrongly left at home and those who went but should have stayed at home

i can’t wait to read your reply.

Larbre34 · 12-11-2021 10:09pm

Tidy win against the Yanks tonight after all the hullabaloo, 20-10. Well done to all.

timothydec77 · 13-11-2021 11:40am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118158222#Comment_118158222

what was the attendance at the game?

From the photos is seemed well short of the capacity.

realhorrorshow · 13-11-2021 12:45pm

Is there a clip of Parsons' try anywhere?

Caranica · 13-11-2021 1:06pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118159925#Comment_118159925

Only the Anglesea stand was open, it was maybe 90% full.

Caranica · 13-11-2021 1:07pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118160136#Comment_118160136

I saw it on The Loose Head Instagram this morning (and live at the RDS last night 😂). She's incredible when she gets half a chance.

connemara man · 13-11-2021 8:10pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118160136#Comment_118160136

https://twitter.com/RTErugby/status/1459247796939378695?t=6ijc_POTljYSDA4A_Fphcg&s=19

sydthebeat · 16-11-2021 9:09am

Unsurprisingly, IRFU won't publish the RWC non qualification failure report in public. Instead will publish "key findings"

Cowards

Lost Ormond · 16-11-2021 4:52pm

No surprise IRFU wont publish the report about failing to qualify for world cup...

And Ciara Griiffin announces her retirement from international rugby. Only 29. Great player who possibly could have went on for few years more.

molloyjh · 16-11-2021 5:00pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118175903#Comment_118175903

She’s 27 isn’t she? Big loss.

The IRFU don’t ever publish the reports, they only ever publish key findings. So it’s not like they are doing something different here.

Lost Ormond · 16-11-2021 5:08pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118175958#Comment_118175958

Yeah. 27. Mistype by me. Huge loss. Hopefully she will get into coaching etc if just playing with Bohs now as would be great to see that though if she followed in her dads footsteps and got involved in admin of underage rugby it would be interesting to have her approach having played at the top level to help develop more girls and get more girls clubs/teams going.

Yeah you are correct in that they are not doing anything different to reports into previous tournaments at different levels.

sydthebeat · 16-11-2021 5:43pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118175958#Comment_118175958

theyre not doing anything different than usual, but what the report is based on is the unique point here.

this was the first time a senior irish rugby team failed to reach a RWC they entered into. The degree of failure from the heights of 2013-2015 is unprecedented.

Hiding behind "usual protocol" is nowhere near good enough in this situation.

the report should be released in its full non redacted form

Larbre34 · 16-11-2021 5:57pm

Fair play to her for her contribution to the game. It certainly is a shame to see her hang up the boots so early.

Whatever about our full-time 7s Women, the 15s game is at a big crossroads now. We are asking what amounts to a professional level of commitment, to playing, training, conditioning and squad camps, from a group which are mostly trying to hold down jobs, or about to graduate into the workforce. Professionalism in England, France and now Wales will really put it up to the IRFU on the way forward, following the digestion of the Bennett reviews.

sydthebeat · 18-11-2021 7:01pm

talk about being stubbornly ignorant of issues....

Eddy has AGAIN pulled front liners from the 15s team on test week to go train with the 7s in preparation for a forthcoming tournament

Flood, Parsons, Murphy-Crowe and Higgins all pulled from the test team

Does he not realise that this is precisely one of the most significant issues which has lead to the failure of the team since his hiring?

i almost feel sorry for adam griggs working under that system

only LAST WEEK did Eddy deny that the 15s game as was being neglected in favour of the 7s programme

well QED anthony

20-11-2021 3:58pm

I think the players were out of pace with the crowd / music there and a couple of the players at the end of the line in stiches over it!

20-11-2021 4:09pm

Considine everywhere so far, Irish pack well on top but game a bit scrappy.

Lost Ormond · 20-11-2021 4:19pm

Japan try. good well worked score.

Strumms · 20-11-2021 4:29pm

Ref seems quite sympathetic to the Japanese continuously not rolling away yet penalizing Ireland at every opportunity.

Lost Ormond · 20-11-2021 4:31pm

thought there was definite mitigation and thats an incredibly harsh red for hannah o connor

Lost Ormond · 20-11-2021 4:41pm

2nd try for Japan. 12-3

Some excellent handling, support play by Japan..

ednwireland · 20-11-2021 4:44pm

great play by japan , can they replay the commentaor saying it's going to be a long afternoon for japan in the first 5 notes.

Strumms · 20-11-2021 4:52pm

Japanese player lowered her body slightly at the last second.... that’s clear from the side on angle.

that should be enough to mitigate against a red in my view.

20-11-2021 5:00pm

Badly needed that score.

Lost Ormond · 20-11-2021 5:00pm

Blockdown by Ciara Griffin and she gets the try. 12-8 conversion to come

OldRio · 20-11-2021 5:18pm

Cracking second half so far.

Strumms · 20-11-2021 5:21pm

Referee is doing my head in, missing a blatant high tackle on the neck of an Irish player but pinging us for a forward pass that was borderline at best.

nigeldaniel · 20-11-2021 6:27pm

I think it took Ireland a good 30 minutes to get into shape today. Until the 2nd half, I thought it was going to be a bad day at the park.

Djougang seemed to be the only player doing her best from the start.

Caranica · 20-11-2021 8:35pm

Second game in a row we won against the run of play. The Japanese were incredible today, such fast pace in every aspect. Kicks not finding touch was as problem again this week (not as big as last week but it still cost us). Don't think Enya Breen is the answer at 10, I hope we see Nicole Cronin in the 6n squad.

Ciara Griffin was immense today, she'll be missed.

Lost Ormond · 02-12-2021 3:11pm

Dates for 6 nations confirmed

Home to Wales March 26th

away France April 2nd

home Italy April 10th

away England April 24th

home Scotland April 30th

Larbre34 · 02-12-2021 4:37pm

Important to note, the three home fixtures will be played in the RDS, Musgrave Park and Ravenhill respectively.

An excellent initiative from the IRFU I must say. Put the team in the heart of the Community and encourage as many young people to come and see them. Its certainly been a winning formula for the FAI in carving out a distinct niche for their Women's senior team.

Lost Ormond · 02-12-2021 4:46pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118257473#Comment_118257473

And gets away from such high percentage of home irish games at all levels being played in 1 city.

Larbre34 · 02-12-2021 6:33pm

It does, but in fairness the 20s are already permanently playing in Cork. The Senior Men will never play test matches outside of Dublin.

nigeldaniel · 13-12-2021 1:11pm

I see the women's team have now sent a letter to the government https://www.the42.ie/ireland-women-rugby-irfu-5598857-Dec2021/ I would say this is an excellent move as they need to stand their ground or the IRFU will end up forgetting them completely. Over the last 4 years, the game has gone backwards and that is a clear fact.

I do hope the IRFU now gives proper respect and representation to the women's game.

sydthebeat · 13-12-2021 1:42pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118314163#Comment_118314163

the announcement that the in-depth review was not going to be published in full, for public viewing, was a MAJOR mistake by the IRFU in my opinion.

this situation (the failure of the RWC campaign and the steady decline of women rugby for the last 6 years) is not "business as usual" for the IRFU, and thus the "this is the way we always do it" excuse absolutely does not wash this time.

molloyjh · 13-12-2021 5:45pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118314341#Comment_118314341

As much as I back the women who submitted that letter, I also agree with not publicising the report. Various people need to be able to input honestly into it without fear of how others might interpret what they say or react. We saw the sh!tshow in England after the 2011 report came out.

What they should be doing is commissioning a summary findings report by the independent body and not producing that themselves, which I believe is the plan.

sydthebeat · 13-12-2021 6:01pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118316029#Comment_118316029

Various people need to be able to input honestly into it without fear of how others might interpret what they say or react.

sorry, but these are professional managers working in a professional environment. If they cannot be honest, truthful, clear and concise in their statements for fear of misinterpretation than they are not doing their job properly.

summary findings by an independent sounds very much "payer of piper calls the tune".

also, their is very much a sense that the IRFU in their internal review will be soft and selective on who is questioned and what questions are asked:

Many of us have felt that the range of stakeholders asked to take part in these reviews have not always reliably represented the game well enough to capture accurate, independent data and insight - neither do all of us feel fully confident that the information submitted has been factual and designed to act in the best interest of the women’s game.

at the end of the day as their is public monies given to the IRFU as part of their management of womens rugby, how that money is spent and how the resultants are achieved / not achieved should be a matter for public record.

Caranica · 13-12-2021 7:33pm

IRFU STATEMENT ON LETTER TO MINISTER

The IRFU is aware of a letter sent to the Minister for Sport re Irish Women’s Rugby and refutes the overall tenor of the document which questions the IRFU’s commitment to, and leadership of, the women’s game in Ireland.

It is disappointing that this group should chose now to come out with a series of allegations, given all involved in Irish Rugby are fully aware that two well resourced, independent reviews are in train and it is from these reviews that lessons, based on fact, can be learned and the foundations built which will serve the women’s game well for future generations.

The IRFU is fully committed to the development of the women’s game based on a sustainable structure, from grassroots up to international level. This is evident from the level of absolute commitment already in place by volunteers in clubs throughout the country, the IRFU rugby development team who are working tirelessly to bring the game to ever widening playing audiences and the committee who have sanctioned ever increasing budgets in support of the women’s game.

The responsible approach would be to allow these reviews progress and conclude their work independently, without attempts to influence their work through outside interference.

For the benefit of those who may not be aware and to balance, in some way, the opinions promoted in this recent letter it is important to reiterate that the IRFU has already publicly announced and set in train an independent review into, what was for all in Irish Rugby, players, team management, IRFU committee and executives, the hugely disappointing failure of our women’s senior international team to qualify for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2023. This review is under the direction of an independent consultant, Amanda Bennett, former Welsh Rugby International and Founder of FairPlay, and will examine the preparation, participation, and performance of the Ireland Women's XV during the recent RWC 2021 qualifying campaign. It is important that the integrity and independence of this review, which includes feedback from players, is not compromised in any way. The Union is already publicly committed to relying on the findings of that report as it plots future campaigns.

Allied to this is the more far-reaching review, established several months ago following a recommendation from the IRFU’s Women’s Advisory Group. The review group is chaired by John Robinson, Senior Vice President IRFU and IRFU committee members Fiona Steed and Su Carty and will be looking in depth at the long-term interests of the women’s game, including the alignment between the Domestic Game and The High-Performance areas, player pathways and women’s competitive structures.

All understand the importance of the international game in this matrix but of equal importance is the development of a structure for the long-term growth of the game at grassroots around club players and young girls coming into the game for the first time. An up-to-date summary of the exceptional work being done by the IRFU’s rugby development team in the promotion and coaching of the game highlights the work being undertaken by club volunteers for the 5,800 girls active across 68 U14 Girls teams, 64 U16 Girls teams and 56 U18 Girls teams, together with the 2,784 women playing across 81 adult women’s teams. In addition, it paints the pathway from mini rugby, which is played by over 29,000 girls, to international level for girls entering the game.

These are not seen as an end but rather strong foundations from which to build.

Full details can be seen on: https://www.irishrugby.ie/2021/11/20/nothinglikeit-signs-of-growth-in-rugby-for-women-and-girls/

The IRFU need to fire their PR company. Pathetic response

sydthebeat · 13-12-2021 7:37pm

The IRFU need to fire their PR company. Pathetic response

the fact they view current and past players as "outside influence" tells you everything you need to know about how they are trying to wash these reviews.

tomgrange1978 · 13-12-2021 7:48pm

Very bad move from the current players to sign that letter

the problem is none of the contracted sevens players signed the letter and that says either one of two things

they were not asked or
they refused to sign it

either way you can easily draw the conclusion that the 15s are very bitter and jealous towards the 7s and the last few years of the 15s being very very poor has just made the situation worse

Womens' rugby Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

Comments