The Irish women's team has been given a massive boost with the appointment of Mike Ross as the squad's new scrum coach, under Head Coach Adam Griggs.
The former Leinster prop brings a wealth of experience to the role following an Ireland international career that spanned eight years and saw him win 61 caps and two Six Nations titles while he also represented his country at two World Cups.
As well as his international achievements, the Cork native had a three-year spell with English club Harlequins before he joined Leinster where he made 151 appearances, winning two Heineken Cups, a Challenge Cup and two PRO12 titles with Leinster.
Ross joins newly appointed assistant coach Jeff Carter, who will mainly look after the forwards, in completing Griggs' coaching ticket.
"We are delighted to have Jeff and Mike join the coaching team with Adam for the up and coming Women's Six Nations," commented Director of Women's Rugby Anthony Eddy.
"Jeff has 20 years of coaching experience at different levels behind him which is invaluable and he will certainly add to the program."
Carter has worked as Leinster U18 Schools Head Coach for two years after a term as assistant coach from 2011 while he also coaches the senior girls team in Kilkenny College.
Eddy is delighted to see a man such as Ross, with all of his experience, get the job.
"Mike is a great addition to the coaching team. Having played at the top level of the game for province and country, his technical expertise of the scrum is second to none and he will be an excellent mentor for the players.”
The new coaching duo joined up with the set-up at last weekend's training camp and will continue with the squad throughout the Six Nations campaign which gets underway on February 3 in Toulouse with the match against France.
Ireland Women's Six Nations Fixtures 2018
Saturday 3rd February 2018
France Women v Ireland Women, 9pm (local) / 8pm (GMT), Stade Ernst Wallon, Toulouse
Sunday 11th February 2018
Ireland Women v Italy Women, 1pm, Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin
Sunday 25th February 2018
Ireland Women v Wales Women, 3pm, Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin
Sunday 11th March 2018
Ireland Women v Scotland Women, 1pm, Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin
Friday 16th March 2016
England Women v Ireland Women, 5.30pm, Ricoh Arena, Coventry
