Former Irish internationals Fiona Coghlan and Sophie Spence joined Friday's OTB AM to discuss the fall-out from the IRFU's decision to decline and invitation from the Australian Rugby Union to play a women's three test tour this summer.
The ARU had offered to pay for accommodation in an attempt to sweeten the deal given the expense of such a tour but the IRFU turned down the offer in favour of focusing on the November internationals ahead of next season's 6 Nations.
"They said it's part of the strategy to focus on the November internationals - I don't know the strategy they're working off because currently they're under-going a review with a new strategy to come out so I find it a bit hard to believe that's the reason," former Irish captain Fiona Coghlan told Adrian.
"I have no problem saying 'No' to this tour if there is something in place and there is plans in place and a pathway that they see it going because it is a huge financial burden - I know Josephine Sukkar offered to pay for the accommodation and there is a lot more costs around it; flights and staffing and everything else along those lines - I know it is a huge financial burden but I don't think the real reason, beyond the November internationals, I think it's a financial issue and that's fine but come out and say it!
"I think this (transparency) has been a problem and that's why there has been so much outrage over the last year with regards the women's team. It's just not known the direction the IRFU wants to go with women's rugby and I'm not even just talking about the national team - I'm talking about across the board from grassroots and I think that's really important.
"The focus is always put on the national team but for me, it's about the development of the game from grassroots all the way up and the pathways young girls can get involved in the game and then transition through if they want to - if they're good enough to make the international team.
"I've been involved in the game for 15 years and I just haven't seen that pathway improve at all. Yes, there's more young girls playing but it's not a structured pathway for them to prove it," she added.
