The IRFU has confirmed that Greg McWilliams will take over from Adam Griggs as head coach of the Irish women's team following the upcoming November internationals against the USA and Japan.
43-year-old McWilliams was previously part of the Irish women's coaching team as an assistant for the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, and the 2013 Six Nations, which Ireland won.
McWilliams recently returned from the US, where he served as Director of Rugby at Yale University. He was also part of the US men's rugby team's coaching staff between 2017 and 2019 and also head coach of Major League Rugby side Rugby United New York.
"It’s such an exciting time for women’s sport globally," said McWilliams.
"There is a terrific energy building and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to be a part of that journey, continuing on from the great work paved by Adam and his staff. I’m most looking forward to meeting the staff at the IRFU High Performance Centre, the players and their families.
"In the meantime, USA and Japan travel to Dublin in a few weeks. It’s a brilliant challenge for the squad against two quality teams. Think of how powerful two strong performances would be for our players against top opposition. It would be massive for momentum as we begin the next World Cup cycle."
Griggs had been head coach since November 2017, and was in charge as Ireland failed to qualify for next year's World Cup. He will move to a different role within the IRFU, serving as a provincial talent coach for Leinster in both the men's and women's game.
Picture credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE
