A group of prominent former and current Ireland women's rugby internationals have welcomed their "positive and constructive meeting" with Minister for Sport Catherine Martin and Minister for State Jack Chambers after they signed a letter last week criticising the IRFU for "historic failings" in their management of the women's game.
On Monday last, a large group of Ireland women's rugby players, past and present, put their names to a letter which said they had "lost all trust and confidence in the IRFU and its leadership after historic failings".
The IRFU quickly issued a response saying they rejected the "overall tenor" of the letter, saying it was "disappointing" that a group of players would "come out with a series of allegations" which two independent reviews were ongoing.
Following criticism of this original response, the IRFU issued an updated statement, expressing its intention to meet with players' groups and the government and announcing his intention to publish the two independent reports in their entirety - as opposed to merely "the findings" as initially planned.
Four of the players - Ciara Griffin, Lindsay Peat, Claire Molloy and Cliodhna Moloney - met with government representatives on Monday behalf of those who signed the letter.
The quartet released a statement afterwards, describing the meeting as "positive and constructive" and saying they awaited "the next steps in the process."
And they also acknowledged that their letter would have made "uncomfortable reading" for the rugby authorities but said their ambition was for it to the "starting point" for change in the women's game.
"While the IRFU's initial response was disappointing, we are pleased it has since confirmed it will publish the two ongoing reviews," the players write.
"We know these may well make uncomfortable reading for all involved, but we are determined that they at least can be used as a starting point to bring about the sort of change that means women and girls will feel welcomed, included and valued as part of the Irish rugby community at all levels and that they will be much better represented across all aspects of governance.
"As we set out in our meeting today, any real change will need to be accompanied by a genuine culture change within the IRFU, from the top down, to one which listens to women, uses that insight to do things differently and one which understands that meaningful inclusion of women at every level will lead to a game which better serves everyone in Ireland.
"We know this process will take time. We also note that the IRFU's most recent statement to the media suggests better collaboration from the New Year with players and we welcome this.
"We want to be the last group of players who ever have to go through this and we feel hopeful that change for the better is more than possible."
