IRFU statement: Greg McWilliams steps down with immediate effect

The Ireland women’s team are in the market for a new head coach after Greg McWilliams left his position with immediate effect on Friday. The announcement came six days after the latest Irish defeat to Scotland consigned them to the TikTok Six Nations wooden spoon following the loss of all five matches this year.

A statement read: “The Irish Rugby Football Union can today confirm that Greg McWilliams has left his role as head coach of the Ireland women’s XV by mutual consent and with immediate effect.

“The remainder of the current management team will remain in situ and John McKee will oversee operations until a long-term replacement is finalised.

“The IRFU would like to thank Greg for his efforts over the course of the last 18 months and wish him and his family well for the future. The IRFU will now begin the process of replacing him.”

The IRFU announcement came on the same day that World Rugby positioned Ireland in tier three of the newly announced WXV, the 18-team, three-level competition that will debut in October and November this year.

McWilliams was appointed as the Ireland head coach in December 2021 following a stint working in America that included assisting the USA Eagles at the 2019 men's Rugby World Cup in Japan. He had previously worked with the Ireland women's team as an assistant at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, as well as the 2013 Six Nations-winning campaign.

Ireland finished fourth in his first Six Nations in charge, winning two of their matches in the 2022 championship, but all five games were lost the second time around.