Ioan Cunningham Steps Down as Wales Women’s Head Coach After Eventful 2024

Ioan Cunningham has resigned from his role as Wales women’s head coach following a challenging year both on and off the field. The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) announced that Cunningham, who had been contracted until next year’s World Cup, departed by mutual agreement after three years leading the team. In 2024, Wales achieved only four victories in 11 Test matches, and the governing body has acknowledged significant failures in its handling of player contract negotiations over the summer. The WRU expressed its thanks to Cunningham and indicated that the process to appoint a new head coach would commence “in earnest.” WRU chief executive Abi Tierney stated: “Ioan has been in charge for the transition of the team from amateur to professional status and led the side to a first ever win over Australia after seeing them finish third in Six Nations and reach WXV1 in 2023.” Cunningham, who was involved in discussions regarding player contracts, had previously guided Wales to their best Six Nations finish in 13 years and a World Cup quarter-final appearance before this year’s notable decline. In a statement, he conveyed his pride in his accomplishments and his belief that the team had achieved “significant progress.” However, he added: “The time is now right for someone new to take the helm and I wish the new regime and everyone involved in this elite programme all the very best for the future.” Tierney mentioned that the WRU continues to “separately address” concerns raised by a recent review into the contract dispute with players. She commented: “We are in the early stages of professionalism in the senior women’s game, there are challenges which we are addressing with determination and vigour, but our dedication to this integral part of our game is unwavering.” She further stated: “The women’s and girls’ game remains a priority for Welsh rugby and is a key part of our new strategy for the game in Wales.” Cunningham, 41, had been in the position since 2021 and was under contract to lead Wales at the World Cup in England next year. Yet, mirroring the situation with the men’s national team in 2022, Wales has lost a head coach less than 12 months before the tournament is set to begin. The status of Nigel Walker, WRU executive director of rugby, who participated in the contract discussions, remains uncertain. Cunningham’s appointment followed a critical internal review of the women’s game, Rowland Phillips’ unexplained departure, and the ill-fated appointment of Warren Abrahams, whose tenure lasted only four months. A former Scarlets forward, Cunningham quickly invigorated the squad and oversaw the introduction of the first professional contracts for female players in Wales. In his initial season, he guided Wales to their strongest performance in the Six Nations since 2009, a feat he repeated a year later during the peak of his leadership. Wales ascended to an all-time high world ranking of sixth and secured their place in WXV1, the top tier of a new global tournament. However, 2024 has seen a significant downturn, with Wales finishing last in the Six Nations. Despite winning a friendly against Australia, they managed only one victory at WXV2 this summer and have dropped to 10th in the world rankings. This occurred despite the implementation of new contracts for 37 Wales players, which the WRU had hailed as among the most lucrative in global rugby. Nevertheless, players had threatened to strike before September’s friendly match against Scotland after negotiations broke down. In response, the WRU sent an email to players, seen by the BBC, imposing a three-hour deadline to sign the contracts or face withdrawal from WXV2 and, subsequently, next year’s World Cup. WRU chairman Richard Collier-Keywood indicated that the situation had likely been a significant factor in the team’s on-field results. The WRU board convened on Tuesday to further consider a review into those contract negotiations and affirmed its commitment to implementing its findings, which are scheduled for publication later this month. Collier-Keywood added: “Whilst it has not been easy to hear, nor easy for the players to say, the fact that they have come forward to talk about longstanding issues indicates that much needed change is underway.”