IRFU 'appalled' by Energia Park changing facilities and launch review into circumstances
- Published
Connacht drew 12-12 with Ulster in their final interprovincial match
The Irish Rugby Football Union say they are "appalled" at the nature of changing facilities available to Ulster and Connacht players at the Women's Interprovincial in Dublin on Saturday.
Players had to get changed beside bins.
The governing body say they have already launched a review into the "clearly unacceptable location of players temporary changing facilities".
"We gave sought reports from Leinster and Connacht to establish how this situation occurred," said the IRFU.
"Also why it was not identified as an issue and rectified in the hours before the players arrived," their statement continued.
Amateur teams cannot access changing facilities in the Republic of Ireland.
Women's rugby is not classed as "elite" under current Covid-19 guidelines in the Republic, meaning the changing rooms at Energia Park in Donnybrook were not open for teams during the Women's Interprovincial series.
However, the conditions of the temporary changing area were criticised on social media after a Connacht player posted a video which showed Connacht branded tents beside rubbish bins and walls covered in graffiti.
The player who posted the video reported she could see rats around the temporary facility.
The IRFU and Leinster apologised to Ulster and Connacht for the "unacceptable error" which led to players getting changed beside bins.
Garry Ringrose labelled the changing conditions for the women's interpro game 'pretty ridiculous'
Speaking at the launch of the United Rugby Championship on Wednesday, Leinster centre Garry Ringrose criticised the changing room conditions.
"It's obviously pretty ridiculous," said Ireland international Ringrose.
"There was clearly a massive mix-up but I can't imagine it will be a mistake that will ever, or should ever be made again," he added.
"I don't really know the ins and outs of it but it was a massive mistake and one that shouldn't have happened and I've no doubt it won't happen again."
'Disappointed and upset' Connacht players
Connacht subsequently "welcomed" the joint-apology issued by the IRFU and Leinster Rugby, the players released a statement on Wednesday calling for a review of the "decision-making process which led to these circumstances".
The IRFU has now confirmed that this review has commenced.
"We are very disappointed and upset by the facilities that were provided for us to change both pre and post-match and for our post-match meal," read the Connacht players' statement.
"The location was not suitable for the purpose.
"We pride ourselves on representing Connacht Rugby in a professional manner both on and off the pitch. We did our best to perform on the day, despite this situation, but these circumstances were far from the standards we would expect for this level of our sport.
"We acknowledge the apology issued by the IRFU and Leinster Rugby earlier this week. We sincerely hope that something like this will never happen again, for any team."
"We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the support we have received from Connacht Rugby this season. We are all working together to improve Women's rugby in the province and throughout Ireland."