Ireland to kick on through to World Cup with Gareth Steenson on board

A kicking coach with the latter, he has played a large part in Ireland’s improvement in that department in the last two seasons as Dannah O’Brien continues to improve and impress as the team’s starting No.10.

WORLD CUP: Gareth Steenson will be with Ireland until after the Women's World Cup in England. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

The announcement that Johnny Sexton’s new IRFU coaching role will spill over from Andy Farrell’s squad and into the women’s, as well as underage, game shouldn’t overlook the fact that Scott Bemand’s squad already has an elite ex-out-half on board.

Gareth Steenson won two Premiership titles and a Champions Cup during a 12-year stint with the Exeter Chiefs and is now back on this side of the Irish Sea as an assistant with City of Armagh RFC and the national women’s team.