The union had previously released an apology alongside Leinster Rugby after a Connacht player brought the ‘changing room’ conditions in Donnybrook to light via social media.

The Connacht women’s team were forced to change in a run-down area behind Energia Park for their third-place play-off with Ulster.

Last night the IRFU said it was “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 and 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.”

Connacht players had noted their disappointment with how they were treated in a statement released on Wednesday.

The statement reads: “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.

“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.

“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.”

The post IRFU To Review Donnybrook Changing Room Incident appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

You can click the link here to buy your tickets.

Ulster Rugby is set to welcome spectators back to Kingspan Stadium for its first fixture of the 2021/22 season on Saturday, August 28th at 4:30 pm.

The competition returns after a year away and will be televised on TG4 and the BBC iPlayer for those unable to attend any games.

Here are the ticketing details for those able to attend the first game of interprovincial action for Ulster and Munster.

The game will be an all-ticket event, meaning that all tickets must be pre-purchased before the game – no tickets will be available at the ground on match-day.

Seated tickets in the Grandstand are available to purchase in pods of two, three, four, five and six for the game.

There will be one metre of social distancing between all pods that attend the match.

Standing tickets will be available for the interprovincial clash on the Promenade.

General sale tickets will be priced at £10 for adults and £5 for under-18s and will be available to purchase from Tuesday at 10 am.

Ulster season ticket holders for the 2021/22 season can claim a free ticket for the match.

They can do so via Account Manager up until 5 pm on Friday, August 20th.

All Season Ticket holders have been emailed with details on how to claim their free ticket, plus full terms and conditions.

For group bookings, Ulster Rugby are asking those who wish to enquire to contact the ticket office at tickets@ulsterrugby.com / 028 9049 3222 (option 1).

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all supporters, Ulster Rugby would ask all supporters to follow the latest public health guidance in relation to COVID-19 restrictions.

They are also advising that supporters travelling to the game attending the fixture should test themselves using Rapid COVID-19 tests before they attend, and on days 2 and 8 after the event, in order to identify any positive cases.

To see all fixtures for the tournament, click here.

The post Tickets On Sale For Ulster Interpro Opener v Munster appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Cregan has been involved with the provincial side since joining the U18s after impressing at an open training session.

The new Ulster captain plays with Cooke RFC at club level and captained her club side to the Women’s All-Ireland Shield in 2019.

She has over half a decade of experience playing at provincial level and is one of the established members of the squad.

Old Belvedere’s Fiona Tuite has been named as vice-captain for this year’s instalment of the interprovincial tournament.

The winger has been with the Ulster squad for three years and has established herself as a key figure in the side.

Both players have a wealth of experience that they can use to motivate and help others in the side.

The squad is currently training together at Newforge Country Club and will first face Munster in front of a home crowd on Saturday, August 28 at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast.

On the squad, Ulster Senior Women’s Head Coach, Neill Alcorn said: “This is an exciting time for this group of players. We have a great mix of youth and experience within the squad. The players have driven up standards this year and are fighting for places each week with serious determination.

“The players and coaches are focused and excited to see the start of the Interpros. We’re all looking forward to our opening game against Munster – especially as it’s being played at Kingspan Stadium – the home of Ulster Rugby.”

2021 Deloitte Ulster Senior Women’s Squad

Aishling O’Connell (Cooke RFC)

Aoife Cahill (Queen’s University Belfast RFC)

Ashleigh Orchard (Cooke RFC)

Ava Fannin (Barnhall RFC)

Beth Cregan (Cooke RFC)

Bethany McDowell (Malone RFC)

Diane Ramsey (Queen’s University Belfast RFC)

Dolores Hughes (Cooke RFC)

Elizabeth McKeever (Cavan RFC)

Ella Durkan (Malone RFC)

Emma Jordan (Malone RFC)

Fern Wilson (Malone RFC)

Fiona Tuite (Old Belvedere RFC)

Gemma McCamley (Cooke RFC)

Hannah Beattie (Cooke RFC)

Hanna Harris (Cooke RFC)

Helen McGhee (Cooke RFC)

Holly Brannigan (Malone RFC)

Ilse van Staden (Cooke RFC)

India Daley (Cooke RFC)

Jemma Farrell (Old Belvedere RFC)

Jill Stephens (Malone RFC)

Katie Hetherington (Cooke RFC)

Keelin Brady (Railway Union RFC)

Kelly McCormill (Cooke RFC)

Lauren Magennis (Malone RFC)

Pieta McAllister (Malone RFC)

Rachael McIlroy (Queen’s University Belfast RFC)

Shannon Buller (Queen’s University Belfast RFC)

Sorcha MacLaimhim (Cooke RFC)

Stacey Sloan (City of Derry RFC)

Taryn Schutzler (Malone RFC)

Toni Macartney (Cooke RFC)

The post Ulster Name Cooke’s Beth Cregan As Captain For Interpros appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Ulster Rugby is set to welcome spectators back to Kingspan Stadium for its first fixture of the 2021/22 season on Saturday, August 28th at 4:30 pm.

The competition returns after a year away and will be televised on TG4 and the BBC iPlayer for those unable to attend any games.

Here are the ticketing details for those able to attend the first game of interprovincial action for Ulster and Munster.

The game will be an all-ticket event, meaning that all tickets must be pre-purchased before the game – no tickets will be available at the ground on match-day.

Seated tickets in the Grandstand are available to purchase in pods of two, three, four, five and six for the game.

There will be one metre of social distancing between all pods that attend the match.

Standing tickets will be available for the interprovincial clash on the Promenade.

General sale tickets will be priced at £10 for adults and £5 for under-18s and will be available to purchase from Tuesday at 10 am.

Ulster season ticket holders for the 2021/22 season can claim a free ticket for the match.

They can do so via Account Manager up until 5 pm on Friday, August 20th.

All Season Ticket holders have been emailed with details on how to claim their free ticket, plus full terms and conditions.

For group bookings, Ulster Rugby are asking those who wish to enquire to contact the ticket office at tickets@ulsterrugby.com / 028 9049 3222 (option 1).

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all supporters, Ulster Rugby would ask all supporters to follow the latest public health guidance in relation to COVID-19 restrictions.

They are also advising that supporters travelling to the game attending the fixture should test themselves using Rapid COVID-19 tests before they attend, and on days 2 and 8 after the event, in order to identify any positive cases.

To see all fixtures for the tournament, click here.

The post Ulster v Munster Ticket Info – 2021 Women’s Interprovincial Championship appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

All six games in the championship will be broadcast free-to-air on TG4 while the three Ulster Rugby matches will be streamed live on BBC iPlayer.

Round 3 of the competition will now take place as an exciting double-header at Energia Park to ensure a televised audience for the province who’ll be lifting the trophy in 2021.

Speaking about the announcement, IRFU Women’s Development Manager Amanda Greensmith said: “We’re very excited that the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship will reach a televised audience for the first time in 2021.

“It’s a competition that has been sorely missed from the sporting calendar over the past two years and we’re delighted that Vodafone are on board to help take us to new heights.

“As we continue to promote our message of #NothingLikeIt, it presents a fresh opportunity to attract women and girls to rugby. We can’t wait to see the women of our four proud provinces return to action.”

TG4 Head of Sport, Rónán Ó Coisdealbha said: “TG4 is delighted to bring the 2021 Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship to Irish television viewers for the very first time. We are looking forward to seeing this exciting competition become part of our Rugbaí Beo line-up.

“TG4 is proud to lead the way in the broadcasting of women’s sport in Ireland and ensures that women’s sport is front, centre, and free to air for television audiences.”

Neil Brittain, Executive Editor BBC Sport NI, said:

“I am pleased that BBC Sport NI is working in partnership with the IRFU and TG4 to broadcast the Women’s Interprovincial Championship live for the first time. We look forward to showing the Ulster matches on BBC iPlayer and to telling the story of the players representing their Province across TV, radio and online.

“We are also committed to ensuring that this competition becomes a permanent part of the broadcast schedule going forward.”

To see the fixtures for the 2021 Women’s Interprovincial Championship, click here.

The post Women’s Interprovincial Championship 2021 To Be Televised appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The Women’s Interprovincial Championship will take place on three successive weekends – August 28, September 4 and September 11.

First up, on August 28, reigning champions Leinster Rugby travel to the Sportsground to face Connacht in a repeat of the 2019 Championship decider.

Leinster return to Energia Park for round two against Ulster on September 4 before the final weekend sees them host Munster at the same venue.

Announcing the squad, head coach Phil de Barra said: “I’m delighted to finally announce our final 30-player squad for the 2021 Interpros. It was a tough process but I believe this squad has an excellent mix of talent and experience.

“The senior players have, in particular, clearly established our values and the massive opportunity that lies ahead for this group. We can’t wait.”

2021 Leinster Rugby Women’s Squad:

Ailbhe Dowling (Old Belvedere RFC)
Aine Donnelly (Old Belvedere RFC)
Ali Coleman (Blackrock College RFC)
Alice O’Dowd (Old Belvedere RFC)
Chloe Blackmore (Railway Union RFC)
Christy Haney (Blackrock College RFC)
Ciara Faulkner (MU Barnhall RFC)
Clodagh Dunne (Old Belvedere RFC)
Caoimhe Molloy (Blackrock College RFC)
Elaine Anthony (Old Belvedere RFC)
Elise O’Byrne-White (Old Belvedere RFC)
Ella Roberts (Wicklow RFC)
Emily McKeown (Naas RFC)
Emma Murphy (Railway Union RFC)
Grace Miller (Old Belvedere RFC)
Grace Tutty (CYM RFC)
Holly Leach (MU Barnhall RFC)
Jennie Finlay (Old Belvedere RFC)
Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere RFC)
Katelynn Doran (MU Barnhall RFC)
Lauren Farrell McCabe (Suttonians RFC)
Lisa Callan (Railway Union RFC)
Mairead Holohan (Blackrock College RFC)
Meabh O’Brien (Suttonians RFC)
Michelle Claffey (Blackrock College RFC)
Molly Scuffil McCabe (Railway Union RFC)
Niamh Byrne (Railway Union RFC)
Nikki Caughey (Railway Union RFC)
Rachel Horan (CYM RFC)
Vic O’Mahony (Old Belvedere RFC)

Saturday, August 28, 2021
Connacht v Leinster, The Sportsground, 2.30pm

Saturday, September 4, 2021
Leinster v Ulster, Energia Park, 4pm

Saturday, September 11, 2021
Leinster v Munster, Energia Park, 7pm

The post Leinster Rugby Announce Squad For Women’s Interprovincial Series appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The competition will return to a round-robin format that will take place over three weekends this year.

The Interprovincial Championship will take place from Friday, August 28th – Saturday, September 11th.

The Championship trophy will be lifted for the first time since 2019, with reigning champions beginning their defence against Connacht at the Sportsground in a repeat of the final two years ago.

IRFU Women’s Development Manager Amanda Greensmith said: “Preparations are in full swing across the provinces and we’re really looking forward to seeing the return of what is a blue riband event for Irish Rugby.

“There’s a full cohort of players who missed on the chance to represent their province last year. It’s a priority for us to get players back onto the performance pathway and on the back of the #NothingLikeIt launch and some additional plans in the works, we’re on our way to ensuring an all-time high for visibility of this event.”

There are new coaching setups for all four provinces in 2021 ahead of the competition’s first weekend.

Neill Alcorn has been appointed Head Coach in Ulster, with former Ulster scrum-half, Paul Marshall taking up the Backs Coach role.

Paul Heasley will be the Athletic Development Lead for the squad, while Emily Millar has been appointed Team Manager.

Munster Rugby Senior Women’s Head Coach for the campaign is Old Crescent and Crescent College Comprehensive coach Matt Brown.

Former Ireland captain and current UL Bohemians Women’s Head Coach Niamh Briggs is the Backs Coach with ex-Munster prop Mike Storey assuming the position of Forwards Coach.

Munster Rugby Women’s Development Officer Willie Shubart is the side’s Technical Coach with UL Bohs forward Sara Hartigan taking the position of Team Manager having previously held that role at the U18s level.

In Leinster, Phil de Barra replaces outgoing head coach Ben Armstrong and is joined for 2021 by forwards coach Tom McKeown, backs coach Stephen Maher and skills coach Ben Watson. Lorna Quinn and Marie Louise Reilly will look after team management.

Former Sligo RFC Head Coach Ross Mannion has been appointed Head Coach of the Connacht Rugby Senior Women’s Team, accompanied by Lyndon Jones as Backs Coach.

Anne O’Leary, CEO of Vodafone Ireland said that “Vodafone has been the proud sponsor of Irish Rugby since 2016 and [their] #TeamOfUs campaign is aimed at growing the game of rugby and promoting inclusion for all.

“With that in mind, [they] are delighted this year to support the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship. Everyone In!”

2021 Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship Schedule

Saturday August 28th 2021 – Round 1

Connacht v Leinster, The Sportsground, 14:30

Ulster v Munster, Kingspan Stadium, 17:00

Saturday September 4th 2021 – Round 2

Munster v Connacht, Musgrave Park, 14:30

Leinster v Ulster, Energia Park, 16:00

Saturday September 11th 2021 – Round 3

Connacht v Ulster, The Sportsground, 14:30

Leinster v Munster, Energia Park, 19:00

Kick-off times TBC.

The post 2021 Women’s Interprovincial Championship Fixtures Announced appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.