EARLIER TODAY, THE IRFU put out a call for interested players to take part in an NFL style combine as the organisation looks to put together a seven-a-side national team.
Crucially, the IRFU are not limiting their X-Factor-esque audition to just rugby players which made those of us with little better to do in TheScore.ie Towers think about which players from other sports could make the grade.
Here’s who we came up with:
Fullback/Wing – Thomas Barr
Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
Barr not only broke the Irish 400m hurdles record twice this year, but he also beat world champion Mahau Suguimati at the Morton Games in July. Given that this position requires acceleration and a high-end top speed, Barr is the man for the job.
As with the 15-man form of the game, playing centre requires not just the ability to create chances for team-mates as well as finish them yourself but you also need speed and the ability to tackle. Coleman ticks a lot of those boxes.
While Sheehan’s kicking skills make him a shoe-in at out-half alone, his ability to read a game, retain possession and transition from defence to attack when needed could also prove invaluable to any sevens team.
Hooker – Conor McGregor
Rodrigo Romos / INPHO
Rodrigo Romos / INPHO / INPHO
In sevens, the hooker is generally required to be one of the fittest and strongest players on the field. Lineouts and scrums are not as important but given that hookers put up huge numbers when it comes to contact, we’re giving the nod to the man who gets beaten up – or at least his opponents try to beat him up – for a living.
Scrum-half – Joe Canning
Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
The Galway hurler was a talented rugby player as a child and therefore gets the jersey for perhaps the most important position on a sevens team. With a good sporting brain, Canning’s ability to read a game and distribute the ball could prove valuable assets.
Props – Richard Dunne and Andy Reid
Andrew Paton / INPHO
Andrew Paton / INPHO / INPHO
Maybe not the Richard Dunne and Andy Reid of 2014, but the pair could well have done a job when both were at their peak. Burly, with a touch of flair, you wouldn’t fancy your chances of out-muscling either at the breakdown.
What do you think, which athletes from other sports would you like to see gives sevens rugby a go?
Seven players from other codes we'd love to see line out for the Ireland sevens team
EARLIER TODAY, THE IRFU put out a call for interested players to take part in an NFL style combine as the organisation looks to put together a seven-a-side national team.
Crucially, the IRFU are not limiting their X-Factor-esque audition to just rugby players which made those of us with little better to do in TheScore.ie Towers think about which players from other sports could make the grade.
Here’s who we came up with:
Fullback/Wing – Thomas Barr
Barr not only broke the Irish 400m hurdles record twice this year, but he also beat world champion Mahau Suguimati at the Morton Games in July. Given that this position requires acceleration and a high-end top speed, Barr is the man for the job.
Centre – Seamus Coleman
As with the 15-man form of the game, playing centre requires not just the ability to create chances for team-mates as well as finish them yourself but you also need speed and the ability to tackle. Coleman ticks a lot of those boxes.
Out-half – Bryan Sheehan
While Sheehan’s kicking skills make him a shoe-in at out-half alone, his ability to read a game, retain possession and transition from defence to attack when needed could also prove invaluable to any sevens team.
Hooker – Conor McGregor
In sevens, the hooker is generally required to be one of the fittest and strongest players on the field. Lineouts and scrums are not as important but given that hookers put up huge numbers when it comes to contact, we’re giving the nod to the man who gets beaten up – or at least his opponents try to beat him up – for a living.
Scrum-half – Joe Canning
The Galway hurler was a talented rugby player as a child and therefore gets the jersey for perhaps the most important position on a sevens team. With a good sporting brain, Canning’s ability to read a game and distribute the ball could prove valuable assets.
Props – Richard Dunne and Andy Reid
Maybe not the Richard Dunne and Andy Reid of 2014, but the pair could well have done a job when both were at their peak. Burly, with a touch of flair, you wouldn’t fancy your chances of out-muscling either at the breakdown.
What do you think, which athletes from other sports would you like to see gives sevens rugby a go?
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