The IRFU and Leinster Rugby have apologised for an 'unacceptable error' that forced teams to be subjected to some appalling conditions before yesterday's women's inter-pros double header at Energia Park yesterday.
Connacht and Ulster would play out a 12-12 draw on the day, while Munster would beat Leinster on a scoreline of 19-7.
However, the occasion caused some controversy after a C0nnacht player shared footage of the conditions of the changing facilities she and her teammates had been subjected to before their game.
In the clip that was shared widely on social media, you could see that the team were forced to change outdoors next to a collection of rubbish bins. The player in question even said that they could see rats in the area as they were getting changed for the game.
Just got sent this
Absolutely disgusting and disgraceful that the Connacht women had to get changed with the rats for the #WomensInterpros today
I've walked lyrical about this tournament but to see this I'm horrified
I'm lost for words at this
Equally Saddened & infuriated pic.twitter.com/Wh1cvBQbdg— The 2nd Row (@the2ndRow) September 11, 2021
These appalling conditions have rightly been slammed across social media, believing it was yet another example of the way the women's game receives substandard treatment in comparison to the men's equivalent.
The IRFU and Leinster Rugby have now apologised for the incident, saying that an 'unacceptable error' had resulted in the poor standard of changing facilities.
The IRFU and Leinster Rugby would like to apologise to players, management and representatives of Connacht Rugby and Ulster Rugby and are sorry for the inconvenience caused by an unacceptable error in relation to the positioning of temporary changing facilities.
Due to current government guidelines, changing facilities are not available for amateur rugby teams.
These temporary facilities should have been set up in a more appropriate area.
The IRFU and Leinster Rugby are extremely sorry for the inconvenience to the teams and the upset this unacceptable error has caused.
Under current Government guidelines, amateur teams are bizarrely still not not allowed to be used by amateur teams. However, this does not mean conditions faced by the teams yesterday should be accepted.
Connacht would soon release a statement of their own, acknowledging the apology.
— Connacht Rugby (@connachtrugby) September 12, 2021
Hopefully we do not see any similar incidents in the future.
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