A prominent figure in Irish rugby made a hugely derogatory comment about the women's game last month, according to a a startling report on The Telegraph.
The IRFU have long been criticised for their approach to the women's game in this country. While the men's sides have established themselves among the elite at every level, the women's game has fallen into disrepair. Having won Six Nations titles in 2013 and 2015, Ireland have now fallen well behind the likes of England and France both on and off the pitch.
That is no surprise when you consider the lack of investment from the authorities.
Writing in The Telegraph, Fiona Tomas has produced a piece which summed up the attitude held towards the women's game by many of those in positions of power in this country.
That includes one 'prominent figure', who said 'who gives a f*** about women's rugby' during a speech made at a president's dinner at Bective RFC in Donnybrook last month.
“Who gives a f*** about women’s rugby?” said a prominent figure in Irish rugby at a president’s dinner last month in Dublin.
Players denied protein. 'Horror stories' over selection. A special report on the sexism that pervades @IrishRugby*
*in 2023 https://t.co/gj6OSGzcwf— Fi Tomas (@fi_tomas_) April 13, 2023
The report discussed the decision to change the colour of Ireland's shorts from navy to white due to period concerns without consulting the players, amounting it to a PR stunt.
It also touched on the IRFU's refusal to consider hybrid contract for players after the move towards professionalism.
The issues discussed in the article have not come as a surprise to those who have been closely following the women's game in this country.
It is astounding after everything that happened last year that the IRFU continue to be so negligent and sexist about women's rugby.
Perfect business avenue to develop, but misogyny says no, as demonstrated by this scathing article:https://t.co/E6e0ZKqeFP https://t.co/Za9IQotVwJ— Daryl Feehely (@dfeehely) April 13, 2023
This is depressing but not surprising at all! https://t.co/7opHSBZaqT
— Tomás Keating (@MossBoxx) April 13, 2023
Extremely depressing reading. Rugby is totally fucked as a sport if these sorts of men have any power for any longer https://t.co/GMc0cTA87R
— Will Owen (@will_owen9) April 13, 2023
What an article by @fi_tomas_ 👏🏼👏🏼
At a time when @IrishRugby are getting the plaudits for the success of the men's team, their treatment of the women's game remains archaic. https://t.co/5ddCBs3uQu— Eanna O'Reilly (@EannaOR) April 13, 2023
Important piece by Fi here. The whole thing is fascinating and should be read in full.
Interesting that a player calls the team’s change to blue shorts a “PR stunt”. I thought so too! https://t.co/eub06qRQkL— Jessica Hayden (@_JessHayden) April 13, 2023
The IRFU believe that they have made strides to improve the women's game in recent times offering full-time contracts for the first time and commissioning an independent report to recommend ways to improve the code moving forward.
In saying that, many would point out that the money offered to many players on those full-time contracts did not offer an amount that was sufficient to convince them to abandon other pursuits in order to commit to the sport.
In relation to the article in The Telegraph, the IRFU said that it “consulted heavily with players before it unveiled full-time contracts last year and that it acted upon specific requests from players”.
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