IRELAND SEVENS RUGBY director Anthony Eddy has included former Munster wing Luke O’Dea in a squad for the second leg of the European Rugby Sevens Trophy.
Ireland won the first leg of the tournament in Malmo earlier this month and they can take another big step towards an overall win – and a place in the Rugby Europe Grand Prix next season – in Prague.
Also drafted in for the Czech trip is rugby league convert John O’Donnell, once of Sale Sharks.
Ireland take on Monaco, Cyprus and Israel in Pool A of the tournament from 10am on Saturday morning.
“We were very pleased with how the first leg of the Rugby Europe Trophy went in Malmo and it is important that we back up that performance this weekend,” says Eddy.
“We are looking to get a good result in the Trophy competition so that we can qualify for next year’s Rugby Europe’s Sevens Grand Prix as we continue to build towards qualification for the World Series in the coming years.”
Ireland Men’s 7s squad for European Rugby Sevens Trophy second leg
Adam Byrne – UCD / Leinster
Tom Daly – Lansdowne FC / Leinster
Billy Dardis – UCD / Leinster
Ian Fitzpatrick – Lansdowne FC / Leinster
Dan Goggin –Young Munster / Munster
Mick McGrath – Clontarf FC
Harry McNulty – UCD
Luke O’Dea – unaffiliated
John O’Donnell – Sale Sharks
Josh Rowland – unaffiliated
Steve Toal-Lennon – St. Mary’s RFC
Alex Wootton – Garryowen / Munster
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Might have missed it but did the IRFU ever clarify why Ireland is the only top tier nation, possibly one of the only rugby nations, that never invested in 7s? Is there actually a good reason? The 7s circuit is huge, a 7s event in Dublin would be class, it always attracts a crowd.
They did, they said that costs were too high and were better spent on the 15s game. It was David Nucifora that convinced them that it would be an effective pathway for developing players that may otherwise slip through. I’ve seen it suggested that they would have to be seen to be running a 7s program to help with the RWC2023 bid. Not sure about that one though.
There are 7s events in Ireland. Dublin 7s was about a month ago in Donnybrook. Then obviously there’s Kinsale 7s which has a big draw.
Think he meant a world series event
Spain got the last spot in the last second of the final against Samoa . They had beaten Ireland in the quarters . Ireland did well to get so far considering they have only one full season under their belts.
Definitely. Qualification for 2020 was always the goal so to get so close for 2016 is great encouragement.
Sean, what’s the story with Olympic qualification? Has that ship sailed or are we still in with a chance?
Spain got the last spot