Covid restrictions not the main cause of interpro changing room controversy, IRFU admit

Fiona Tuite of Ulster is tackled by Catherine Martin, left, and Ciara Farrell of Connacht during the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship match that was overshadowed by the conditions of the changing area at Energia Park. Picture: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

The IRFU’s Philip Browne has vowed that the union will do better by the women’s interpro series after a report in the changing-room controversy found that Covid-19 and the resultant health and safety issues were not the “determining factors” in leading to the issue.

The matter arose when the Connacht and Ulster women’s teams had to use temporary and utterly inadequate changing facilities in Donnybrook that were positioned close to refuse bins. Footage of the area, where rats were said to be seen scurrying about, was widely shared on social media.