Replicating a men’s model for women’s rugby will blow up men’s rugby
An employer paying different wages for the same job solely based on sex is… brave
Franchise model is correct
Not sure if I was on the board of these private companies that this ‘invitation’ would entice me…
What starts as a radical idea often becomes common sense
If same employer, same team names, same comps
Same work
But women paid less?
When in EU
And receive funding from state & corporate
When both have already intervened in women’s rugby
Mmmm…
Prop & backrow crisis & struggling to make gainline with no Aoife, Erin or Doro?
How about:
✅ Experienced Irish international
✅ Strong scrummager
✅ Powerful ball carrier
✅ Irish Player of the Year in 2024 & shortlisted in 2025
Been a no-brainer for three years now…
📢IRELAND SQUAD ANNOUCEMENT
Some dream in black and white, some dream in colour.
We Dream In Green.
Here's the Ireland squad presented by Aon
#GreenWave
The IRFU deserve so much credit for the tone and style of social media content they’ve put out today
A focus on the individual background and story, adding emotion and tugging on the heartstrings
Honestly roll on the World Cup right now ☘️
I must have watched this ten times now, it’s funny how a video like this can give you a greater sense of connection with a group.
I want them to perform so bad, but that has intensified ten fold since yesterday. Very excited to see how they go!
Met newly married couple Ireland hooker Clíodhna Moloney & England winger Claudia MacDonald to talk about what it took to get to the upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup.
They’ll have Moloney-MacDonald on the back of their Ireland & England jerseys.
The only way this possibly sells is a Premiership move - men & women
URC is unloved in Wales - two new franchises is a death knell
Prems need more fixtures for financial viability
WRU knows this so prob a done deal
Irish men’s rugby be grand
Irish women’s? That’s the worry
✅ Representation, a voice & being listened to
✅ Periodised multiyear training plan
✅ 1 coaching team v 5 coaching teams
✅ Coherent competition structures
✅ Training where live & no massive commutes
✅ Care
✅ Ability to get better
✅ Maintain career
❌ Not money
How would you coach women’s rugby if you never saw a game of men’s?
This is the start of something new
The women’s game evolving on its own terms - like how men’s & women’s tennis diverged
Unique athletic profiles, rising skill levels & multi-sport pathways will drive it
Two very different restart approaches
Canada spread to cover the field with individual responsibility & outcome in mind
England use a traditional men’s setup with 4 single-lift pods, seems more process than result
Which is the better fit against women’s game kickoffs?
IMHO 🇨🇦
Spoke with a Belgian athlete this week exploring residency for 6N
Spain are quality also excluded
Understand why the 6N unions want to protect their M6N cash
But imposing a 150-year-old men’s model will choke the women’s game growth
Need true inclusion & thinking bigger
Interpros for years was bedblocking by retired internationals with little development of young players
The easy answer is simply pick from the AIL clubs
Kudos to Ben, Matt & the team
These players - and Irish rugby - will be better for their work & these debuts
👏👏👏