With Andy Rhys Jones, Sione Fukofuka and Ioan Cunningham now having been recruited by the governing body the trio will “help ensure strong alignment and continuity as Scottish Rugby moves towards the next phase of women and girls strategy in 2026”.
That is the view of Scottish Rugby’s managing director of women’s rugby Gemma Fay as she and the three men mentioned – the women’s high performance and pathway manager, national women’s team head coach and senior assistant coach respectively – start working together this month as a new era for Scottish women’s rugby gets underway.
“Our new women’s high performance and pathway manager Andy Rhys Jones will be key to ensuring the alignment between the on field aspects and the development of our pathway,” Fay, who herself moved into her new role recently, said.
“Sione’s appointment is key to the next step in the development of our Scotland women’s national team.
“It is an exciting year with the new global calendar set to begin the next World Cup cycle in earnest and give our international players a higher level of consistent opposition throughout the season.
“Sione’s experience in different women’s high-performance environments and coaching knowledge make him an excellent fit for the next chapter of our women’s team and new high-performance programme.
“And Ioan’s appointment is an excellent addition to the Scotland women’s coaching team.
“Working closely with Sione, the wider performance team and our pathway – Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors within the Celtic Challenge – Ioan will help ensure strong alignment and continuity as we move towards the next phase of women and girls strategy in 2026.
“We look forward to working with them.”
Gemma Fay is pictured – thanks to Scottish Rugby