Greg McWilliams' 18 month tenure as Ireland women's XV coach is over.
McWilliams presided over Ireland's worst Six Nations in history as five straight defeats ensured the wooden spoon for the first time since 2004 and he last left his role by mutual consent, the IRFU has confirmed.
Senior coach John McKee will take over on an interim basis as the Union search for a replacement. McWilliams' backroom team, including Niamh Briggs and Denis Fogarty, are staying on.
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McWilliams, who was assistant coach when Ireland reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2014, took over as head coach after the failure to reach the 2022 finals via a play-off in September 2021.
Ireland won two of their Six Nations games in his first year in charge but this year was even more of a struggle as the IRFU adopted a professional model that failed to attract a number of England-based players home on a full-time basis.
With experienced Sevens players absent throughout the campaign in their pursuit of Paris 2024 qualification, Ireland were deservedly left behind in the championship standings.
"The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) can today confirm that Greg McWilliams has left his role as Head Coach of the Ireland Women’s XV by mutual consent and with immediate effect," read a statement.
"The remainder of the current management team will remain in situ and John McKee will oversee operations until a long-term replacement is finalised.
"The IRFU would like to thank Greg for his efforts over the course of the last 18 months and wish him and his family well for the future. The IRFU will now begin the process of replacing him."
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