Womens' rugby Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

CIARAN_BOYLE · 30-04-2023 11:41am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120538072#Comment_120538072

Even if they don't want to admit they aren't good enough they could admit that they have a lot of young players and they hope that with experience they will be there in a few seasons.

It doesn't need to be saying they aren't good enough. It can just be that they aren't good enough yet.

We started the last game of the six nations with 13 players with less than 10 caps in the 23.

Fotish · 30-04-2023 6:43pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120538323#Comment_120538323

Ireland did well around 2013/ 2015 but that seems to me to be more the exception than the rule.

England have been the best team 19 times since 2002 and I can only see them getting better.

To put it bluntly ,we are flogging a dead horse.

Lost Ormond · 30-04-2023 7:05pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120540270#Comment_120540270

So because we cant compete with the top side we shouldnt bother? Well you could put same argument to a lot of sports and competitions. including many in male sports. Would you do that? No.

Buddy Bubs · 30-04-2023 7:22pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120538323#Comment_120538323

The 7s program aggressively targeted talented and very fit female athletes from other sports as soon as it became an olympic event. And they had some success.

They knew the talent and athleticism wasn't there within the existing rugby players.

But as we all know, a huge proportion of the season sees a split between these players and the 15s players.

Lost Ormond · 30-04-2023 7:45pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120540422#Comment_120540422

More they saw it as a way to attract others to sport by offering a potential place at an Olympics as a good bargaining tool to get others to play.

When the Mens 7s started up the union did the same with open trials and aggressive targeting of players from other sports. It wasnt because the existing players had a lack of talent or athleticism and many of the best players in 7s - Parsons, ALMC, Higgins and others have been playing rugby all through the age groups in Ballinasloe, Clan, Barnhall

Caranica · 01-05-2023 11:49pm

McWilliams is gone, no surprise there.

Larbre34 · 02-05-2023 12:50am

That's pretty much a disaster though. Any semblance of progress they may have had this year is gone. It's back to square one and square one is an existential threat to the representative women's game on this island.

How are they to do anything or get anywhere with continuity, without someone driving a strategy?

kita99 · 02-05-2023 3:34am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120544786#Comment_120544786

In Japan, such a this is said that 'cut lizard tail'. Where is true responsibility?

Caranica · 02-05-2023 8:36am

I think we have to see what comes out today and later in the week. He could/should have gone Saturday night, that's what coaches tend to do. Bank holiday Monday night is odd and suggests there's more to this.

Clegg · 02-05-2023 11:36am

England Women appoint John Mitchell as their new head coach. He was head coach of the New Zealand men's side and a head and assistant coach of a number of other top level club and test sides. Ireland is a long way behind.

https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1653335479679320064?t=0T3v2ujtZ81ECDp3NTjAzw&s=09

Larbre34 · 02-05-2023 12:08pm

Mitchell is a known bollix, will be interesting to see how that gels.

minitrue · 02-05-2023 1:04pm

Does RTÉ not mentioning the departure of McWilliams yet mean they also don't GAF about women's rugby or they are waiting for the IRFU brief on how to spin it so as not to get put on the blocklist?

connemara man · 02-05-2023 2:11pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120546142#Comment_120546142

they did report it and now have an updated piece on the website

minitrue · 02-05-2023 2:35pm

I couldn't find any report of it on their site by the time I posted, if I missed one hiding somewhere fair enough.

The "updated" piece now just makes it all stranger, "is believed to have informed members of the squad that he is stepping aside immediately" followed by "The I.R.F.U. can confirm that it is in discussion with Greg McWilliams and until these discussions are concluded, no further comment will be made,"

sydthebeat · 02-05-2023 4:00pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120546606#Comment_120546606

clearly RTE are waiting for definitive news before they report more widely on it. Absolutely no point in reporting on hypotheticals

Larbre34 · 02-05-2023 6:32pm

IRFU say discussions remain ongoing.

Perhaps he mentioned to the players that he intended to submit his resignation, but there's no guarantee the Union will accept it if the agreement is to build on the existing group.

I mean they don't have much choice.

Caranica · 02-05-2023 10:43pm

His contract only runs to the end of the year, makes no sense to hold him to it.

CIARAN_BOYLE · 02-05-2023 10:45pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120548610#Comment_120548610

I feel like the womens xv 3rd division can probably be treated as a semi development event for our new coach to bed down systems before next years six nations.

Fotish · 02-05-2023 11:12pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120544857#Comment_120544857

Winning a few matches would be a good place to start !

Cosmo Kramer · 03-05-2023 8:18am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120544857#Comment_120544857

There was no progress though. They started at square one, finished at square one and losing the coach likely just leaves them in exactly the same place.

It will be interesting to see who is willing to take this role on. A poor team that get an excessive amount of media coverage relative to the actual support base that exists for them and who are not hesitant in throwing others under the bus if it serves their interests. Ideally a female coach may be a better fit here I think if there is someone suitable who is available and willing. But easy to see why many may pass on this opportunity.

sydthebeat · 03-05-2023 9:17am

im not sure what profile of coach they will get to fill the role.

First off, there's no female coach with the relevant coaching experience, and irish womens rugby experience, out there. Sophie spence is the highest profile, but shes only currently serving an internship with welsh rugby, so has no head coach experience at this level.

If they get a very high profile male coach a la wayne smith / simon middleton / john mitchell etc, then there will be questions over how they can afford such a salary while offering pittance in the pro contracts.

if they get a male coach that once had a high profile but whos star has waned in the last few year ie eddie o sullivan / neil doak etc then teh IRFU will be charged with "jobs for the boys" or a 'retirement home job'.

filling that position is not going to be easy. i think they will have to look outside of ireland for a decent profiled coach who comes with no baggage and no fear of saying what they think (im think along the lines of vera pauw with the soccer women). maybe someone like giselle mather.

Larbre34 · 03-05-2023 1:39pm

The obvious choice is Lynn Cantwell. She's back in Ireland, due to give birth in a few weeks and would hopefully be available to work again in a few months. She has spent the last two years as Director of High Performance - Women, in the South African RU and knows every aspect of the Irish Women's system, including all the politics and old fashioned blockages. She also commands huge respect from everyone connected to the Women's game in Ireland.

I can't think of a better person to be DoR for the Women's Senior Squad and to put together a staff to begin making in-roads.

sydthebeat · 03-05-2023 4:02pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120550237#Comment_120550237

fair point, but we're talking about head coach here.

If Lynn comes in it would be at DOR level as you say (or management) as she has no head coach experience and no coaching badges as far as i understand. Shes very much an organiser more than a coach.

(not that thats not needed!!)

but who will replace Greg mcwilliams is just as important

Larbre34 · 10-05-2023 7:21pm

https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2023/0510/1382822-women-in-rugby-briefing-mcwilliams-irfu/

https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/irfu-ceo-kevin-potts-insists-cliodhna-moloney-is-not-being-silenced-and-is-available-to-be-picked/a39460334.html

Some different takes on the announcement of College based centres of excellence and other developments...

Caranica · 11-05-2023 9:29am

Utter bs re Moloney. Best IQ #2, playing out of her skin and nowhere near an Irish camp. Not her choice either. She paid a hefty price for speaking out.

Larbre34 · 11-05-2023 3:45pm

I agree. If the next head coach looks to recall her, I'd tell them to go have intercourse with themselves.

But I suspect being the person she is, she would answer the call.

Honestly, she should be Captain. I've no particular problem with Fryday, but heavy was the crown this season, maybe give her a chance to just do what she does on the field and spare her any more deflating media duty. Moloney would be a face of real progress.

CIARAN_BOYLE · 11-05-2023 4:04pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120583724#Comment_120583724

I think my reaction would be slightly more mercenary than yours.

More along the line of what's match fees for non contracted internationals and hmm I'll think about it.

sydthebeat · 12-05-2023 10:53am

incredible victory in the toulouse 7s

ireland 27 france 7

ALMC with a hat trick

Caranica · 12-05-2023 1:32pm

Long way to qualification but I'm daring to dream. It's not an easy group

Larbre34 · 12-05-2023 1:35pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120583792#Comment_120583792

And you'd be dead right.

But Fryday herself is one in that category too, I think Moloney would play for Ireland under a new regime, if called. At least I hope she would, the XVs playing group needs leaders and big beasts with experience.

kita99 · 14-05-2023 2:01pm

Congratulation. Women's 7's team for qualified 2024 olympics in Paris. It's a long long way. Well done.

thebaz · 15-05-2023 11:07am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120586640#Comment_120586640

after all the negativity with the the Irish team , great to see the 7s beat Fiji and qualify for Olympics - that is great achievement for all involved.

timothydec77 · 15-05-2023 11:20am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120598713#Comment_120598713

It is a great achievement alright. Those involved should be proud. The selected players for the Olympics will have an experience of a life time in France.

However, 7s doesn't have the same traction with the public as 15s . This goes for the mens game too.

The sevens tournaments are all played abroad and viewership must be very small in Ireland.

thebaz · 15-05-2023 11:27am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120598777#Comment_120598777

7s at the Olympics is huge , for me better than 15s - beating Fiji was massive

Caranica · 16-05-2023 12:08am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120598777#Comment_120598777

Plenty of Irish at the 7s RWC last September!

sydthebeat · 16-05-2023 9:31am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120601945#Comment_120601945

not the point at all. there are plenty of irish at most 7s tournaments due to our diaspora, but the point is that 7s doesnt have the same public interest as 15s does. This is obviously because 7s isnt shown on any TV station, nevermind terrestrial FTA.

the big issue for womens rugby right now is, is the 15s game suffering due to the emergence of the 7s program. Again, yes is the obvious answer.

However maybe the IRFU see it as worthwhile. Maybe they see a 7 month sevens season, with significant funding coming in from external, as being more valuable than a 7 week six nations tournament, in which ireland are so far behind.

CIARAN_BOYLE · 16-05-2023 2:23pm

Between WXV and the expansion of the Celtic cup there's almost going to be a decent season for women's internationals in 2024.

I would say that part of the funding coming from outside the irfu budget is likely to help attract irfu interest to sevens.

I believe that in theory someone who hasn't played 15s but is a high level athlete is more likely to convert to 7s than to 15s but that's not likely to expand the player pool massively.

Quin_Dub · 16-05-2023 3:10pm

Doesn't involvement in the Olympics also open up other funding channels from the IOC etc. ?

Lost Ormond · 16-05-2023 3:26pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120598777#Comment_120598777

Big tournaments and success at those can get decent traction though especially Olympics which would be bigger than anything else the womens game could get,

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120602475#Comment_120602475

Yeah,. agree with that. IRFU see 7s as way to professionalize players thats harder to do with the 15s game

Ireland are now so far behind at 15s game that it would take years of changes at all levels to close the gap any bit and its far easier to just focus on 7s

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120604139#Comment_120604139

Yes there would be 7s focused funding from other sources if regularly at olympics/qualifying for it

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120603806#Comment_120603806

Problem is still below that level. Too many top players playing in too few clubs which means player pool isnt going to expand much either

Lost Ormond · 29-05-2023 12:06pm

WXV3 has a few more teams officially confirmed now

So WXV1 is England, France, Wales and top 3 from the pacific 4 competition which will finish in July in Canada and is between Canada, US, Australia and New Zealand

WX2 is Japan, South Africa, Scotland, Italy or Spain and 4th from Pacif4, Oceania winner

WX3 is Ireland, Kazakstan, Kenya, Italy or Spain, 1 from Oceania, Columbia or Brazil

CIARAN_BOYLE · 03-06-2023 9:29pm

https://www.irishrugby.ie/2023/06/02/season-plan-confirmed-for-2023-24-irfu-club-competitions/

I see the womens interpros are being moved to August in 23/24. Get ahead of the WXV and give players a chance to stake a claim for internationals.

The Womens AIL is going to home and away which is a positive step

Lost Ormond · 27-06-2023 2:50pm

womens 20s going to italy next month

https://www.irishrugby.ie/2023/06/27/ireland-womens-u20s-programme-launched-ahead-of-italy-trip/

Caranica · 27-06-2023 3:49pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120773227#Comment_120773227

Interesting that they're looking at U-16 and U-18 teams for this. Could be some players with several years as U-20 in the mix

Lost Ormond · 05-07-2023 6:48pm

20s squad named

Ireland Women’s U20s Squad:

Forwards (14):

Amy O’Mahony (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)

Caoimhe Guinan (Tullamore RFC/Leinster)

Hannah Wilson (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)

India Daley (Cooke RFC/Ulster)

Ivana Kiripati (Buccaneers RFC/Connacht)

Jane Neill (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)

Karly Tierney (Tuam/Oughterard RFC/Connacht)

Maebh Clenaghan (Queen’s University/Ulster)

Megan Collis (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)

Niamh O’Dowd (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)

Ruth Campbell (MU Barnhall RFC/Leinster)

Sarah Delaney (Cill Dara RFC/Leinster)

Sarah Shrestha (Loughborough University/Ulster)

Sophie Barrett (Enniskillen RFC/Ulster)

Backs (12):

Abby Moyles (Blackrock RFC/Leinster)

Cara Martin (Navan RFC/Leinster)

Clara Barrett (Ballina RFC/Connacht)

Ellen Boylan (Blackrock RFC/Leinster)

Emma Tilly (MU Barnhall/Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)

Eva Sterritt (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)

Kate Flannery (UL Bohemians/Munster)

Katie Whelan (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)

Kayla Waldron (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)

Laoise McGonagle (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)

Leah Tarpey (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)

Willow Bell (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby).

sydthebeat · 07-07-2023 12:40am

Ireland Women’s Sevens:

Claire Boles (Railway Union RFC)

Alanna Fitzpatrick (Portarlington RFC)*

Clare Gorman (Old Belvedere RFC)

Katie Heffernan (Railway Union RFC)

Eve Higgins (Railway Union RFC)

Erin King (Old Belvedere RFC)

Lucinda Kinghan (Railway Union RFC)

Vicky Elmes Kinlan (Wicklow RFC)

Amy Larn (Athy RFC)*

Kate Farrell McCabe (Suttonians RFC)

Aoibheann Reilly (Blackrock College RFC)

Ava Ryder (Railway Union RFC)*

Emma Tilly (MU Barnhall)*

Incredible for Alanna Fitzpatrick from Portarlington RFC. Probably the first international level player in any code to be from that club.

sydthebeat · 21-07-2023 8:52am

Irish captain Nicola Fryday just announced her international rugby retirement.

At 28, and following on from the previous captain Ciara Griffin retiring at 27, this is indicating a huge retention problem of our best players at the highest levels

21-07-2023 9:18am

I see talk that Vikki Wall (Meath Footballer) is potentially switching to 7s next year/later this year in preparation for the Olympics next Summer.

If I was a member of the 7s squad that has sacrificed so much over the last couple of years to gain Olympic qualification, I'd be fairly pissed that someone with no background in the sport is being parachuted in and will take a spot of someone much more deserving.

sydthebeat · 21-07-2023 10:38am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120878504#Comment_120878504

if shes good enough to be on the team, then shes good enough. Personally i dont have an issue with it.

to be honest if someone can take up the sport a year out from an olympic event and become good enough to complete at the olympics then the competition for places musn't be at the highest level. She certainly will not walk into the squad anyway. Shes a fabulous athlete but sevens is highly skilled and experience counts for a hell of a lot.

id have much more sympathy for the like of those tonga and samoan players who lose out on a RWC place due to those "transferring" from bigger nations.

21-07-2023 10:49am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120878835#Comment_120878835

I'd agree to a certain degree. You always hear that 7's players are athletes first and rugby players second.

I just think it would be hard justify to a player thats busted their arse, sacrificed careers etc. chasing olympic qualification over the past number of years to be told a couple of months out that "sorry, we're parachuting someone in from another sport and they're going to take your place"

sydthebeat · 21-07-2023 10:55am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120878888#Comment_120878888

I just think it would be hard justify to a player thats busted their arse, sacrificed careers etc. chasing olympic qualification over the past number of years to be told a couple of months out that "sorry, we're parachuting someone in from another sport and they're going to take your place"

thats not happening though

Wall has to become a better sevens rugby player than her competition in order to get an olympic spot. Shes not being parachuted into the olympic squad ahead of anyone.

Womens' rugby Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

Comments

Ireland Women’s U20s Squad: