IRFU takes a crucial first step but a long road is still ahead for women's rugby

Ali Donnelly with five key takeaways from the report into the failure of the women's team to qualify for the World Cup

Ireland's Sam Monaghan dejected at the World Cup European Qualifying Tournament game against Scotland

What was published? 

The decision to publish the report only partially, despite the promise of full disclosure, has attracted some criticism. When the IRFU committed to full transparency they allowed an expectation of a warts-and-all publication to build. In reality, that promise was made in panic, aimed at quelling waves and waves of negative coverage and moving the story on, rather than presenting a genuine attempt to start rebuilding relationships with their players. That they committed to it without checking it was possible was foolish and it has put a dampener on what should be heralded as the start of a new era for the women’s game. In reality, what matters are that the recommendations are the right ones and that they are implemented in full. The players say they are satisfied they meet the requests they have been making, and that’s good enough for me.