The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media is seeking an urgent meeting with the IRFU. 

It comes hours after a letter - signed by 62 current and former players - asked for government intervention to end what they described as “multiple cycles of substandard commitment from the union”.

In response, the IRFU chose not to address the players' concerns, but instead criticise the tenor of the letter, and its timing.

On Monday night, Minister of State for Sport, Jack Chambers, and Minister for Sport, Catherine Martin released the following statement:

Ministers' statement: 

Ministers Martin and Chambers have received a letter which outlined a number of issues of concern within women's rugby in Ireland.

That letter is being considered with the upmost seriousness, particularly in the context of the leadership that the players have shown in recent years in driving the game forward.

The Ministers have written to the players to let them know they have sought a meeting with the IRFU to discuss the issues raised by the players. They have also requested that Sport Ireland engage with the players.

The Ministers advised the players they will be happy to meet directly with them also.

IRFU refutes claims of “untrustworthy leadership” from players