David Nucifora 'not surprised' some players have turned down pro contracts

UNDERSTANDING: IRFU Performance Director David Nucifora has said he understands why several senior Irish women’s internationals have not taken up the governing body’s contract offers. File pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

IRFU Performance Director David Nucifora has said he understands why several senior Irish women’s internationals have not taken up the governing body’s contract offers.

Speaking at Aviva Stadium on Thursday, Nucifora addressed the move to professionalising the elite women’s game in Ireland undertaken by the IRFU in the wake of the national team’s failure to qualify for the World Cup, which is currently being staged in New Zealand.