Government ministers are demanding a meeting with the IRFU to discuss the issues raised in a critical letter penned by current and former Ireland women rugby internationals.
“That letter is being considered with the utmost seriousness," read a Government statement.
“The Ministers have written to the players to let them know they have sought a meeting with the IRFU to discuss the issues raised by the players," read the Government statement.
"They have also requested that Sport Ireland engage with the players. The Ministers advised the players they will be happy to meet directly with them also.”
The group of approximately 60 past and present stars are now at war with Union bosses over the future of the game.
Minister for Sport Catherine Martin and Minister of State for Sport Jack Chambers are eager to follow up on the contents of the hard-hitting letter that described the IRFU's leaderships as 'inequitable' and 'untrustworthy'.
In response, reeling Union bosses criticized the timing and 'tenor' of the letter, claiming that the 'integrity' of two reviews underway - on the failed World Cup qualifying bid and the game's long-term development - were threatened by the group's intervention.
An IRFU statement claimed the body was 'fully committed' to the women's game, adding: "It is disappointing that this group should choose now to come out with a series of allegations, given all involved are fully aware that two well resourced, independent reviews are in train."
Describing themselves in the letter as a "deeply discouraged group", the players are unhappy that the IRFU's director of women's rugby Anthony Eddy was publicly critical of their recent World Cup qualification failure.
The rebels are also concerned that 'key findings' of the current reviews will be published, rather than the full reports.
The Wasps hooker Cliodhna Moloney, who described Eddy's criticism as 'slurry' in a social media response, is one of several current internationals who signed the letter.
Sene Naoupu, Linda Djougang, and Eimear Considine also put their name to the missive.
Recently retired captain Ciara Griffin also did so, along with high-profile former team leaders Lynne Cantwell, Fiona Coughlan and Claire Molloy. None of the currently contracted Sevens internationals are signatories.
Rugby Players Ireland also supported the group's action.
In the letter, the women stated that they have lost 'all trust and confidence' in the IRFU and that the sport is in 'disarray' in this country, and claimed that the sport's administrators have not shown the requisite vision and support.
The IRFU were also accused of 'a lack of ambition' and of 'substandard commitment', with past and present players urging the Ministers to meet with the IRFU to demand 'meaningful' change.
Their message has been heeded.
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