Womens' rugby Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Driving a successful women's team would be profitable in the long term, not the other way around. Not only would it drive revenue, it would be building a stream of revenue that is relatively independent of the success of the men's team, adding to their sustainability in year's where we are weak in the men's game. Look at US women's soccer for an example of just how incredibly valuable that can be, after their men failed to qualify for that world cup.

But all that's irrelevant in the end. The IRFU are the NGB of the sport in this country and receive special status because of that, they can not and will not be allowed to neglect women's sports forever. The only question is whether they'll take steps forward before they're forced to by external factors. If Eddy and Nucifora remain there, I'd doubt it.

If you bothered to read back over what I've said already you'd realise I said almost exactly that.

D14Rugby wrote: »

As I said originally I'm not saying don't spend money with an eye to making money but it is very easy for that to fall into bankrolling which isn't sustainable. It wasn't that long ago remember that connacht was nearly shut down until they started earning a bit of money themselves.

You don't necessarily need to Rob Peter to pay Paul. Women's rugby is really undersold all over at the minute, the potential for better sponsors, more big games, etc is all there it's just about tapping into it and getting the ball rolling. Abbottstown should be used more too when it's done.

All I was saying is you can't just go "right let's just drop 2 centrally contracted players and get a pro squad in and that'll fix all the problems" you have to invest the money to build up, to borrow your example the US women's soccer team got to where it is because od decades of investment in the sport, the US isnt a great example though because of the stupid scale of everything there.

The irfu should expand the interpros, home and away, two games in each of October, Christmas, May, ie just before each meet up of the national squad, a June series of some sort, make the interpros an event get crowds at them, get them on TV, that'll attract more and bigger sponsors which will have knock on effect and then you can work towards bigger goals.

Just as an after point last season the irfu money towards women's rugby increased by a million euro for the year, they could have paid salaries for a professional squad there with that but it went to grassroots which I think we can all agree was the right decision.

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

I wouldnt have it like that but 6 interpros is a must and having a June series isnt necessarily the answer but a proper november series every year.
Basically provinces play August/September 3 games then AIL and the other club games until November with 2/3 internationals then 3 more interpros in December/January with club games before 6 nations.
Getting games on tv is a bit of stretch but they should be streamed. Games will all be videod but streaming them would be a start.

I wasn't saying on TV as an immediate thing, I had it in with bigger crowds and bigger sponsorship deals because its something that should be an ambition to build towards to then grow the game more.

Any word on who pulled out of the AIs on us?

molloyjh wrote: »

Only got to see a few snippets. From what I saw we were the better team in general, but just coughed up the ball through silly errors and ill discipline at key moments. At one stage we had a line out just inside our 22. Mauled from there to just outside our 10m line and won a penalty. A minute or two later we coughed up the ball at the ruck when we looked like we were motoring. Just robbed ourselves of momentum like that a few times that I saw.

Game plan looked like it was there. Execution was definitely not. No real continuity. Was there a point in the entire game we had the ball for more than 8 phases?

Not a bad development for some younger players.

Good positives to take out of some individual performances.

Ellen Murphy looks quite assured and capable there and has a positive partnership with Cronin whose passing was lovely yesterday.

Considine was a class above also. Excellent pace shown.

Ciara Griffin was pick of the bunch for me though. Phenomenal performance I thought.

That's ridiculous. I actually joked during the second half that I hoped someone made sure both teams had hot water to retreat to at full time. Someone should get a lot of grief over that.

Didnt see much of the game, but was very impressed with the forwards from what I did see. Bossed the contact really well. And the back 3 looked dangerous. Lots of positive signs this week and last.

It's horrible for a young man playing away from home and not having a decent shower.
Can't imagine what it's like for a young lady, well I can but that's a bit pervy.