The Irish Rugby Football Union have announced three full-time coaching and support appointments for representative women's rugby in Ireland.
Ireland's international women's team has enjoyed considerable success on the field in recent years, reaching the semi-final of this year's World Cup and winning a Grand Slam in 2013.
Former Brumbies and Worcester Warriors coach Anthony Eddy has been appointed director of sevens and women's Rugby. He will have a hands-on coaching role with the women's and men's Sevens Squads whilst overseeing the women's XV program.
Eddy will report directly to IRFU's Performance Director David Nucifora.
Former Ireland international Tom Tierney will join Eddy's staff as head coach of the Ireland women's XV team and as assistant coach to the women's Sevens Squad.
Tierney will commence his role with the Ireland women's team ahead of the 2015 RBS 6 Nations Championship.
Connacht Academy S&C coach Marian Earls has been installed as head of strength and conditioning for sevens and women's rugby, which will see the Galway native provide support to the Ireland women's team and the women's and men's sevens squads.
David Nucifora, IRFU Performance Director, commented: "A review of the existing women's rugby representative structures revealed a need for greater integration of both the 15-a-side and sevens programmes from both a coaching and player support perspective.
"We believe we have put in place a strong coaching unit and the appropriate support structures that will enable both versions of the game to drive on in tandem.
"The establishment of three full-time positions signifies the IRFU's commitment to creating a high performance environment for Irish representative women's rugby.”
