Rugby

IRFU to review interpro arrangements after Connacht women call for investigation

‘We sincerely hope that something like this will never happen again, for any team’

A general view of action during the Vodafone women’s interprovincial between Connacht and Ulster at Energia Park in Donnybrook. Photograph: Brian Reilly-Troy/Inpho

John Fallon
Wed Sep 15 2021 - 15:25

The IRFU has commenced a review of the arrangements during last Saturday’s Women’s Interprovincial Championship match between Connacht and Ulster at Energia Park in Donnybrook.

The move comes after Connacht players released a statement on Wednesday afternoon outlining their disappointment at having to change in temporary facilities close to bins and, with reports of rats running around the area where the gazebo was placed.

In a brief statement released through their Twitter account on Wednesday night, the IRFU said: “Based on the request by Connacht players the IRFU . . . are appalled this situation arose and have already commenced a review of the circumstances that led to the clearly unacceptable location of players temporary changing facilities, at Energia Park last Saturday.

“We have sought reports from Leinster & Connacht to establish how this situation could have occurred, why it was not identified as an issue and rectified in the hours before the players arrived.”

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Earlier on Wednesday, the Connacht women’s players broke their silence and called for an investigation to be carried out.

The dreadful scene was highlighted with a brief video was broadcast of where they had to set up their gazebo beside bins, amid fears that the area might be rat-infested.

It is understood that players were asked not to comment publicly in the wake of the controversy, with the IRFU and Leinster Rugby issuing apologies, but a statement issued on behalf of the players on Wednesday said they were very upset over what happened.

“We are very disappointed and upset by the facilities that were provided for us to change both pre- and post-match and for our post-match meal. The location was not suitable for the purpose,” said the statement.

“We pride ourselves on representing Connacht Rugby in a professional manner both on and off the pitch. We did our best to perform on the day, despite this situation, but these circumstances were far from the standards we would expect for this level of our sport.

“We acknowledge the apology issued by the IRFU and Leinster Rugby earlier this week. We sincerely hope that something like this will never happen again, for any team.

“We would request that a review of the decision-making process which led to these circumstances be conducted and our hope is that more thought will go into decisions like this for the women’s game in the future.”

The statement added that it was a disappointing outcome given the strides made in Connacht and throughout the country in developing the sport but that what happened last weekend for their game against Ulster is unacceptable.

“We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the support we have received from Connacht Rugby this season. We are all working together to improve women’s rugby in the province and throughout Ireland.

“We believe that every province is doing the same. Great progress has been made this season with all the women’s interpro games televised by TG4 and Vodafone coming on board as a sponsor of the series is a massive step in the right direction.

“However, the circumstances on Saturday highlight there is still much work to be done.

“More young girls got to see women’s rugby on TG4 over the last three weeks and hopefully we have inspired them to take up the game and fall in love with the sport that we love,” added the statement.