IRFU Kicks Off Six Nations Campaign With New Digital Platform

The IRFU has launched a brand-new look for its website irishrugby.ie.

The new user-centric design is mobile first with a fast, feature-rich and intuitive experience for users, whether they are regular or first-time visitors.

The new site will really come alive during the opening Six Nations weekend as the Ireland Women, Under-20s and Men take on their English counterparts. The new match centre will feature live blogging, live match photo galleries and live match statistics to deliver an unrivalled second screen experience for fans.

The adaptable new platform will also allow the IRFU to increase the promotion of all aspects of the game, and the work done by the clubs and provinces throughout the year.

Cardiff-based digital agency Sotic, who have been working with the IRFU since 2008, are responsible for both the design and development of the new website.

The site is designed to reflect the IRFU’s dual remit as an elite sporting organisation competing at the very highest levels of the game and as a guardian of the sport of rugby union in Ireland.

Commenting on the new site, IRFU Digital Marketing Manager Barry Cunningham said:

We are delighted with the new website and are confident it will deliver for everyone in rugby. We have built it with the future in mind and the Sotic powered platform provides us with huge flexibility to showcase all aspects of the game and the work done by the IRFU.

“The Guinness Six Nations will obviously be centre stage over the next few weeks and users will see some fantastic new features. The new site will also allow us to amplify more of the domestic game through increased coverage of everything from the All-Ireland League to our Girls’ ‘Give It A Try’ programmes.

“We have worked with Sotic for over ten years and they continue to lead the way in this field which has helped make Irish Rugby the biggest digital sport in Ireland,”

Jonathan McConnell, Sotic’s Head of Digital Operations, added:

It is great that we have been able to provide Irish Rugby with a fresh, exciting, and innovative digital presence at such an important time for the national teams with the Six Nations tournaments upon us and the Rugby World Cup on the horizon.

“There is so much more to Irish Rugby, however, and the new site allows their digital team to quickly focus on whatever is currently at the forefront of the game, whether it be the club game, Women’s rugby or minis events.”