Ioan Cunningham, former head coach of Wales and Fiji, has been appointed as an assistant coach for Scotland Women, joining the backroom team under newly appointed head coach Sione Fukofuka.

Cunningham brings a wealth of experience to Scottish Rugby, having led Fiji Women during last summer’s 2025 Rugby World Cup, where they impressed in the same pool as Scotland and Wales. His appointment signals a commitment to developing women’s rugby in Scotland and enhancing the team’s competitiveness on the international stage.

Cunningham’s Coaching Career

Before joining Scotland Women, Cunningham held several high-profile coaching roles:

• Head coach of Wales (three-year stint): Helped Wales reach their highest-ever World Rugby ranking of sixth before leaving by mutual agreement in November 2024 amid a player contract dispute.
• Fiji head coach: Led Fiji at the 2025 Rugby World Cup, achieving notable victories and growing the profile of Fijian women’s rugby.
• Scarlets forwards coach and Wales Under-20s head coach: Developed young talent and specialized in forward play and set-piece strategy.

Cunningham on His Move to Scotland

Cunningham expressed his excitement about joining the Scotland Women’s setup:

“I am really honoured and excited to have the opportunity to work with Scottish Rugby, especially with the senior women’s team. I look forward to working with such talented players and staff, adding to the continued growth and development of women’s rugby in Scotland.”

He also highlighted a personal connection to Scotland, noting that his grandfather was from Kilmarnock, making the appointment particularly meaningful for him and his family.

Scotland Women’s Squad Development

Cunningham will work closely with head coach Sione Fukofuka, who was appointed in December 2025, to support player development, tactical planning, and performance improvement across the squad. This comes as part of a broader strategy, including the recent awarding of contracts to 21 Scotland Women World Cup players, aimed at strengthening the national team ahead of future international tournaments.

Cunningham’s experience at both elite international and youth levels is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the coaching setup and help Scotland Women build on their competitive foundations.