The IRFU are pleased to confirm the appointments of Jeff Carter as assistant coach and Mike Ross as scrum coach for the Ireland Women’s 15s side for the forthcoming Women’s Six Nations.
They complete the coaching set-up with Head Coach Adam Griggs.
Assistant coach Jeff Carter will mainly be responsible for the forwards and has over 20 years coaching experience having been Leinster U18 Schools Head Coach from 2015 to 2017 and previously held the position of Assistant Coach from 2011. He also coaches in Kilkenny College. Coaching at all levels in the school, he led the Senior Cup Team to a 2009 Vinnie Murray Cup victory and a 2011 League title, as well as coaching the current Senior Girls team in the school.
Scrum Coach Mike Ross, won 61 caps for Ireland at tight-head prop and since retiring from professional rugby last season has taken up a role as player-coach with Malahide in Division 2C of the Ulster Bank League, as well as working with Leinster in a mentoring capacity with age-grade players.
Speaking on confirmation of the coaches ahead of the Women’s Six Nations, Director of Women’s Rugby, Anthony Eddy said;
“We are delighted to have Jeff and Mike join the coaching team with Adam for the up and coming Women’s Six Nations.
Jeff has 20 years of coaching experience at different levels behind him which is invaluable and he will certainly add to the program.
Mike is a great addition to the coaching team. Having played at the top level of the game for province and country, his technical expertise of the scrum is second to none and he will be an excellent mentor for the players.”
Both coaches linked up with the squad at last weekend’s training camp and will work with the team throughout the Women’s Six Nations campaign.
Ireland will open their Women’s Six Nations campaign away to France on the 3rd of February in Toulouse. They will then play Italy, Wales and Scotland at home in Donnybrook before meeting England in their final game at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.
Tickets for Ireland’s home games are available now via ticketmaster.ie
Ireland Women’s Six Nations Fixtures 2018
Saturday 3rd February 2018
France Women v Ireland Women, 9pm (local) / 8pm (GMT), Stade Ernst Wallon, Toulouse
Sunday 11th February 2018
Ireland Women v Italy Women, 1pm, Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin
Sunday 25th February 2018
Ireland Women v Wales Women, 3pm, Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin
Sunday 11th March 2018
Ireland Women v Scotland Women, 1pm, Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin
Friday 16th March 2016
England Women v Ireland Women, 5.30pm, Ricoh Arena, Coventry
Report courtesy of the IRFU via Women’s 6 Nations
