ADAM LEAVY, BROTHER of Leinster and Ireland flanker Dan, is in line for his first international Sevens cap this weekend as he joins Anthony Eddy’s squad bound for Exeter.
This weekend’s tournament (which can be watched live on Sky Sports and rugbyeurope.tv) is the fourth and final round of the Rugby Europe Grand Prix. Ireland go to the south of England leading the series rankings after winning tournaments in Moscow and Clermont.
Qualification for next season’s Hong Kong Repechage is already secured, but with the top two finishers from the series earning qualification for next summer’s Sevens World Cup in San Francisco, director Anthony Eddy is intent on winning a third event to keep fate firmly in Irish hands.
“Claiming that spot at the Hong Kong Repechage next season was really important, as it was one of one of our main goals we set out to achieve this season.
“We’re in a good position going into this weekend, and the players are very focused on a good performance in Exeter and winning the Grand Prix series.”
There are two changes to the 12-man squad that went to Clermont with Mick McGrath and Josh Rowland making way for Connacht academy wing Leavy and Leinster’s Jimmy O’Brien.
Ireland’s bid to win the Grand Prix and a place at San Francisco 2018 will begin with pool matches against Portugal, Belgium and France from 11.30 on Saturday with the knock-out games to come on Sunday.
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Ireland Men’s squad for Exeter 7s
Fionn Carr (Naas)
Jordan Conroy (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Billy Dardis (UCD) Captain
Ian Fitzpatrick (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster)
Adam Leavy (Galwegians/Connacht)
Harry McNulty (UCD)
Jimmy O’Brien (UCD/Leinster)
John O’Donnell (Lansdowne)
Greg O’Shea (Shannon)
Mark Roche (Lansdowne)
Nick Timoney (Queen’s University Belfast/Ulster)
Ireland’s Pool A fixtures at Exeter 7s, 15 July
Ireland v Portugal – 11.30am
Ireland v Belgium – 2.15pm
Ireland v France – 5.00pm
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