Ireland captain Ciara Griffin says she and her teammates 100 per cent support Cliodhna Moloney following her criticism of IRFU director of women's and sevens rugby Anthony Eddy.
Earlier this week, Eddy rejected suggestions that the IRFU has neglected the women's 15s game.
"The team was well prepared, I don't want to contaminate any findings from the review that's in place at the moment either, but I know the girls, the coaching staff, the girls themselves are disappointed not to have qualified [for the World Cup] and disappointed in their performances," he added.
In response to Eddy's comments, Moloney - who will start at hooker for Ireland against USA at the RDS on Friday - tweeted, "I could have sworn slurry spreading season was spring... I stand corrected".
Several teammates have since given Moloney their support.
“For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack” Rudyard Kipling@cmoloney3 I stand with you! #shouldertoshoulder #notalone #neversettle #changethegame pic.twitter.com/Xx83aF0ByK
— Aoife McDermott (@AoifeMc15) November 11, 2021
Never question the unity of this group. 💚
We will forever have eachother's backs on and off the pitch. As @griffinciara94 has said this afternoon,we 100% back @cmoloney3 for her comments this week.
To the 23 amazing women selected to play tomorrow,
GO SMASH IT!
💚#RugbyFam pic.twitter.com/dyFUrFpwTI— Laura Feely (@ljfeely1) November 11, 2021
"In rugby we aspire to do the right thing and endeavour not to be bystanders."
I support my teammates and admire those brave enough to make a stand. 💚
In doing this I am honouring the Spirit of Rugby composed by Irish Rugby.#shouldertoshoulder pic.twitter.com/riLQL1Qzt9— Anna Caplice (@bananacaplice) November 11, 2021
"I support Cliodhna 100 per cent, we all do," said Griffin during a press conference on Thursday.
"This whole team back Cliodhna and have her back. She is not alone. It’s really important that we get that across, that this group is very close-knit, it’s very tight, and we have Cliodhna’s back.
"We want to focus on this game as well but we have Cliodhna’s back and we support her. She’s very passionate about this game, we all are. We all want what’s best and to put our best foot forward. Cliodhna is not alone here, we all have her back.”
Asked if she was disappointed with Eddy's comments, Griffin said: “Yeah, I was. We all were.
"Anthony has addressed me in terms of that he apologised in case people took offence to his comments, but the comments were made. We now need to focus on the game at hand, and then we'll look at the review process after that, and give our opinions there."
Big show of support today by Ireland players for Cliodhna Moloney.
Captain Ciara Griffin says she supports Cliodhna 100%. Ciara says she was disappointed by Anthony Eddy's comments & said he apologised "in case people took offence to his comments.."@VirginMediaNews pic.twitter.com/2fbDqFStmN— Sinéad Kissane (@sineadkissane) November 11, 2021
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