David Nucifora: 'Increasing the size of the player pool' key if women's rugby to turn pro

The continued dominance of England and France has led to some within the women’s game to call for professional contracts for the Irish side

IRFU Performance Director David Nucifora: 'Professionalism may become a reality at some stage in the future and that is an admirable aspiration for the women’s game.' Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

IRFU Performance Director David Nucifora believes there is a future for professional women’s rugby in Ireland but only once there are sufficient numbers playing the game to a high standard.

This year’s Women’s Six Nations has been delayed until April due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the inability of participant nations to maintain a squad bubble due to the work commitments of players. England are currently the only women’s national team in the championship to be fully professional while the France team is semi-professional.