Ireland coach Steenson coy on post-World Cup future

Former Exeter fly-half Gareth Steenson is currently Ireland women's kicking coach

Gareth Steenson says he is unsure of his future with the Ireland women's team beyond the World Cup.

The former Exeter Chiefs fly-half has been working as the team's kicking coach under Scott Bemand for the past year alongside his duties as City of Armagh's backs coach.

But with Johnny Sexton having started his full-time position with the Irish Rugby Football Union - which will include work in both the men's and women's programmes - on 1 August, Steenson was coy on what the future holds for him beyond the World Cup in England.

"My future is I'm involved with going to the World Cup, so post-that it will be a matter of seeing where we are post-World Cup really," said the 41-year-old, who won a European Cup and two Premiership titles during his 12-year spell with the Chiefs.

"I've been fortunate since I moved back home a year ago, to work with the pathway, work with the Sevens and right across that kicking regime.

"I've been very lucky since the Six Nations, doing a little bit more with the backs, a bit more work in that area, looking at strike plays and stuff like that.

"I've been very fortunate to be part of the growth piece as well, so all the focus has been getting to this World Cup and now that we're on the brink of it it's been really exciting."

When asked if his and Sexton's roles will overlap, Steenson said: "Again, I know my role. My role is being in with the girls, I've been in here a year, and how that looks going forward...I've been working with these girls for the last year or so.

"We'll see when Johnny comes back."