Former Wales and Fiji women’s rugby head coach Ioan Cunningham has joined Scotland’s new-look coaching set up as senior assistant coach.
The Welshman will be working with head coach Sione Fukofuka who was appointed last month with the Guinness Women’s Six Nations beginning in April.
Cunningham said: “I am really honoured and excited to have the opportunity to work with Scottish Rugby, especially working with the Scotland senior women’s team.
“I’m really looking forward to working with such talented players and staff, adding to the continued growth and development of women’s rugby in Scotland.
“I have a personal connection to Scotland as my grandfather was from Kilmarnock which makes having this opportunity a proud moment for me and my family.”
Scottish Rugby’s performance director David Nucifora added: “Ioan brings significant experience from high-performance women’s rugby, alongside strong technical expertise and an understanding of what is required to deliver at international level.
“He has also worked across the men’s professional game and with international age-grade teams which, through the senior assistant coach role, will help Sione lead a strong coaching group that will invest in both developing our player pool and driving the Scotland women’s team forward to reach their full potential.”
Ioan Cunningham takes up his role with Scottish Rugby this week and will be based in Edinburgh.
- Former Scotland women’s head coach Bryan Easson, now Netherlands men’s head coach, has confirmed that his long-term assistant Tyrone Holmes will be working alongside him during the upcoming Rugby Europe Championship which starts in February.
Ioan Cunningham is pictured coaching Fiji – thanks to World Rugby