Anthony Eddy is vacating his post as the IRFU's Director of Sevens and Women's Rugby with immediate effect, a day before the independent report into the failure of Ireland to qualify for the World Cup is published.
Eddy was criticised by a number of past and present players for comments he made in the wake of that failure in the play-off tournament in Parma last September.
In an interview afterwards, he said the players had been fully prepared and were disappointed with their performances, having perhaps too much pressure on themselves.
Hooker Cliodhna Moloney reacted by comparing Eddy's comments to "slurry spreading", while further criticism came from former international Jenny Murphy who labelled his take as "spineless".
The Australian has now ended a seven year association with the IRFU.
In a statement, the Union said: "The IRFU thank Anthony for his time and dedication in the role, highlights of which include the historic qualification for the Men’s Sevens team to the Olympic Games for the first time, and our Women's Sevens team's recent success in Seville.
"The IRFU will now put measures in place to ensure his duties pass to existing staff, while taking time to reassess the future requirements for the Women's and Sevens games."
Eddy said: "I am proud of each of the teams, the athletes, and staff that I have worked with. I wish all these people and teams the very best and thank the IRFU for their understanding.
"The last two years during Covid have given me time to reflect on the next phase of my career and life.
"It can be difficult living so far from home, family and friends. Having assessed everything, I’ve decided to change things up, and seek new opportunities."
IRFU Performance Director, David Nucifora, said: "I want to thank Anthony for the commitment and expertise he brought to his role.
"The IRFU have been very fortunate to have had someone of the calibre of Anthony to have built these programmes up from nothing.
"I wish him the very best of luck for any new challenge he takes up.
"The programmes will continue for now with existing staffing while we take some time to look for suitably qualified coaches to replace Anthony."
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