Ex-Wales Player Suggests Team’s Issues Extend Beyond Former Coach Cunningham

Sioned Harries, a former Wales back row with 78 caps, states that the difficulties within the national women’s team are more extensive than simply blaming the recently departed head coach, Ioan Cunningham. Cunningham resigned as Wales women head coach last week, concluding a challenging year both on and off the pitch. The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) announced that Cunningham’s exit, following three years in charge, was by mutual agreement. “It’s been a very difficult week and from a personal point of view Ioan is a good man, a good coach,” Harries informed S4C’s Y Clwb Rygbi. She continued, “I do think that the root of the problem goes much higher up the chain than Ioan and it’s very disappointing that he’s gone. “He had so much success with the women – took them through these contracts, third in the Six Nations, up to sixth in the world. “So I think we have to dig a little deeper than just Ioan Cunningham.” Wales achieved only four victories in 11 Test matches during 2024. This period was overshadowed by a disagreement concerning players’ contract negotiations over the summer, with the WRU admitting significant failures in its handling of the situation.