IRFU director of women's and sevens rugby Anthony Eddy has resigned with immediate effect.
The news of Eddy's departure comes on the eve of the publication of the independent review into the failure of Ireland to qualify for this year's Women's Rugby World Cup.
He had come under severe pressure in November, after he tried to defend the union's perceived prioritisation of the sevens game in Ireland in recent years.
His claims that the IRFU were not "neglecting" the women's 15-a-side game were described as "slurry-spreading" by current international hooker Cliodhna Moloney, which led to further backlash from several former internationals.
The IRFU will deliver the results of their independent report into last year's disastrous World Cup campaign tomorrow afternoon, with the union pressurised into publishing the review in full, having initially planned to release "key findings".
Ahead of that review being delivered tomorrow afternoon, Eddy has decided to quit with immediate effect.
"I am proud of each of the teams, the athletes, and staff that I have worked with," he said.
"I wish all these people and teams the very best and thank the IRFU for their understanding.
"The last two years during Covid have given me time to reflect on the next phase of my career and life. It can be difficult living so far from home, family and friends. Having assessed everything, I've decided to change things up, and seek new opportunities."
The Australian was appointed in December 2014, with Ireland winning the Six Nations the following spring.
While there has been steady progression with Ireland's sevens programme in recent years, with the men's team qualifying for the 2020 Olympic Games and the women's team reaching their first world series final in Seville earlier this year, Eddy has overseen a steady decline in the women's 15-a-side game.
Having finished eighth in the 2017 World Cup on home soil, Ireland had to go through a qualification process for the delayed tournament in New Zealand, which has been pushed back until this year due to Covid-19.
However, defeats to Spain and Scotland at the qualification tournament in Italy last September saw Ireland miss out on a place at the tournament, with captain Ciara Griffin, and veteran Claire Molloy and Lindsay Peat all retiring in the months that followed, while head coach Adam Griggs also tendered his resignation.
IRFU performance sirector David Nucifora added: "I want to thank Anthony for the commitment and expertise he brought to his role. The IRFU have been very fortunate to have had someone of the calibre of Anthony to have built these programmes up from nothing.
"I wish him the very best of luck for any new challenge he takes up. The programmes will continue for now with existing staffing while we take some time to look for suitably qualified coaches to replace Anthony."
