Former IRFU high performance director David Nucifora has hit out at the union's decision to axe the men’s Sevens programme, calling it "short sighted nonsense".
Australian Nucifora, who was at the IRFU between 2014 and last summer, and is now working with the British and Irish Lions and Scottish Rugby Union, was the driver of the Sevens programme while in Ireland.
In 2024 both the men’s and women’s squad qualified for the Olympics.
Last week the union cited financial challenges as a reason to discontinue the men's programme, highlighting the fact that the province’s academies serve as player pathways, while the women’s game does not have the same feeder lines.
"The financial situation we face is challenging, and it’s crucial that we take decisive action to secure the long-term success of Irish rugby," said high performance director David Humphreys.
Nucifora made his comments under a Facebook post by David Barry, who was a main financial backer of the Sevens programme.
Barry, who owns MLR side New England Freejacks, says he was not consulted before the decision, which has come under severe criticism from many high-profile former players, was made.
Barry wrote on Facebook: "To find out this week that a decision (following an apparent in-depth consultation) was taken to axe the men’s 7s programme without even the courtesy of a phone call to me is super disappointing.
"I feel I would have been able to provide the committee and decision makers with some valuable perspectives and ideas.
"It’s hard to accept that this decision was taken solely on financial grounds as I cannot see any tangible effort expended during the so called consultation period to solve the purported funding challenge. A sad demise to a wonderful programme!".
Replying under the post, Nucifora (above) wrote: "Firstly a huge thanks to you David Barry who had the vision and the generosity to back our plan.
"Without you it wouldn’t have happened.
"To now see this short sighted nonsense decision is gut-wrenching. Your vision helped create Irish Olympians and change peoples’ lives," he wrote.
"The lack of vision and leadership being shown is also a major concern for Irish rugby.
"World Rugby and some unions do not deserve the right to own the game of 7s.
"The sooner someone takes it from them the sooner it will meet its potential."
The IRFU has told the players their contracts would not be renewed at the end of the season but they would be paid until the end of this year.
Speaking on RTÉ's Against the Head, former Ireland captain Donal Lenihan said: "It's my understanding is that none of the players were consulted about this.
"The manner of which it was handled has been really poor."
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