Fiona Coghlan believes that the IRFU need to continue to look at their decision to ban transgender women from playing full-contact female rugby.
Last week the union announced that they had amended their gender participation policy for the upcoming season, in what was a substantial change in direction from the organisation.
The changes mean that only whose sex was recorded as female at birth will be permitted to play contact rugby in the female category.
Canterbury ambassador Coghlan feels that the decision will have to be continuously reviewed.
"I think it needs to continue to be looked at," Coghlan says.
"I don't think it can just be shut down now and those players aren't allowed to play and don't feel that they can be involved in rugby in Ireland.
"If new research comes out that they're able to play, I think that (the decision) should be revoked and changed."
Coghlan also stressed the importance of dialogue between the IRFU and the transgender community.
"Conversations between both parties are key here.
"I don't know how much the transgender community were involved in those prior reviews (of the policy).
"I think it's really important, that everyone's aware of what's going on."
Back in December of last year Coghlan was one of 62 figures in Irish women's rugby stating that they had lost "all trust and confidence" in the IRFU to run the women's game.
Following the letter, the union promised to publish two independent reviews; one on the failed World Cup qualification campaign and another on women’s rugby generally in Ireland.
Fiona Coghlan feels IRFU need to focus on pathways
The general review has yet to be published, however Coghlan welcomes the changes that have been implemented so far following the World Cup campaign.
It was recently announced that the IRFU would provide 43 professional contracts to women's rugby players next season, while Gillian McDarby has been appointed as Head of Women's Performance and Pathways.
ICYMI📢
Earlier today we announced -
📰 43 contracts to be offered to elite Women's players.
📰 Gillian McDarby appointed Head of Women's Performance & Pathways.#NothingLikeIt I #ShoulderToShoulder I #IrishRugby— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) August 4, 2022
"I said previously that I think the contracts are absolutely amazing but more importantly is that we have those pathways developed.
"That we have the players that are able to step up to that standard and that they're getting competitive game time week in, week out, not just at international level.
"We have a lot of girls playing in the Allianz Premiership in order to try and get quality game time.
"Then the link between underage into senior because as we can see from this tour there's a lot of 18 and 19-year- olds who haven't even played senior rugby that are now on tour in Japan because the pathways hadn't been there previously for them to step up."
Speaking ahead of Ireland’s tour of Japan is former Ireland captain Fiona Coghlan. Canterbury, the official kit partner to Irish Rugby launched the new Men and Women's jerseys in June with the women’s side wearing the jersey for the first time this weekend in Japan. The new jerseys and training wear are on sale now in store at Intersport Elverys and online via Elverys.ie, and on Canterbury.com
The game has moved on a lot since Coghlan first played for Ireland.
When she captained Ireland to the Grand Slam in 2013 she did so while working as a full-time teacher.
"There was never any media attention prior really to 2013 and then it all kicked off. In fairness it's significantly grown year on year since.
"When I started playing, I didn't even know women played rugby, that's the god honest truth and I lived 50m from a rugby club.
"Now that they (young girls) can see that it could potentially be a job for them, it's huge for any young girl growing up and hopefully that continues."
Ireland travel to Japan to play in two tests this month and Head coach Greg McWilliams has named a young squad that includes eight players who could win their first caps.
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Coghlan isn't overly worried about the results.
"I think it's about developing those players, seeing what potential they have both on and off the pitch.
"They'll have a lot of downtime together for them to get to know each other and develop as people," she adds.
"I wouldn't be concerned about the results. Next year’s Six Nations is way more important, that the players are able to progress into that."
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