This excellent news comes not a moment too soon and is a fitting tribute to Bemand, who offered England unstinting service for eight years.

He will be in no doubt about the challenge he has taken on. The IRFU has matched the WRU in its ineptitude in caring for its women’s sector over several seasons. The Welsh have started putting their house in order; their reward is a coveted place in WXV1 in the autumn.

Ireland’s most recent news is the unexpected retirement of their captain, Nichola Fryday. The 15’s squad achieved their poorest return in the 2023 Six Nations most people could remember. The clash with the Sevens programme has not been resolved.

It will take a lot of tact and determination on Bemand’s part to sort out the remaining issues at dispute between the players and the authorities.

They may help to explain the lengthy delay between Greg McWilliams’ departure and Bemand’s appointment. It is twelve weeks since the position fell vacant. We can easily imagine earnest discussiona going over the fine print of the new contract, Bemand wanting to ensure he knows the full range of his authority. He will have built his own opinions of what was going wrong with the Irish set-up in the many encounters he had with his counterparts at 6N level and elsewhere.

Though Bemand may be best known as Simon Middleton’s number two, he was in charge of the England side for a period. Even so, he may be very pleased to have full authority in his new post, whatever the challenges it will undoubtedly pose.

Most Irish critics point the finger of blame at the top of the pyramid of authority, so Bemand will have needed to know the extent of the powers he had to put through any changes in policy he found necessary. Getting certain national unions to give way over the Olympian preference for Sevens can prove a tricky hurdle.

We don’t have to look very far back to see Irish rugby blooming. It helps too that the men’s team is cock of the ranking walk, though the disparity in treatment between them and the women’s squad must still rankle. But a full-strength women’s team, properly led and prepared, can make a rapid return to former standards.

A first task for Bemand will be to name a captain. That choice will help to decide the speed of recovery for the whole squad.

News from Ulster

Alongside this national news comes the appointment of Murray Houston as head coach of Ulster. Perhaps even more significant is the addition of Kathryn Dane to the Ulster staff. She is still suffering the effects of a brain haemorrhage she suffered last November, so we can only wish her well in her new role and hope she continues to make a full recovery.

Bemand was appointed lead coach of the England Women XVs team in 2015, working alongside Simon Middleton, who initially held a joint-role with sevens.

The former scrum half was part of the coaching set-up as backs coach who guided England to their record-breaking 30 match-winning run and two Rugby World Cup finals in 2017 and 2022.

During his spell to date, he has won five Six Nations titles and four Grand Slams.

Meanwhile, having spent the past 18 months with the Red Roses, Louis Deacon will remain with the Red Roses coaching team leading towards the 2025 Rugby World Cup.

Bemand said: “It has been a privilege to coach my country and be a part of the Red Roses programme.

“Two World Cups, Six Nations titles and wins in France and on the 2017 tour of New Zealand have been particular highlights and memories I will cherish.

“The women’s game has grown significantly. We have a fantastic group of integrated players and staff involved in a world class programme who have always looked to drive it forward and I wish them all the very best moving forwards.

“After eight years in the role, it is time for a fresh voice for the group and I am looking forward to the next challenge.”

RFU Performance Director Conor O’Shea added: “All of us will want to send Scott off in the manner he deserves. He has given an incredible amount to the Red Roses and to the game in England but he, like Simon, feels that post-Six Nations is the right time for a fresh voice.

“On a personal level, we will all miss the enthusiasm and energy that Scott brings to the job every day.”