IRELAND WILL HOST an important international women’s sevens tournament later this summer, the first time such an event takes place on these shores.
‘Women’s Sevens Dublin’ will be played in UCD on 22 and 23 August, serving as a qualifier for the two remaining places on the coveted 2015/16 World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series.
Ireland’s position as hosts comes hot on the heels of the news that the IRFU will bring the Women’s Rugby World Cup here in 2017, when UCD and Belfast’s Kingspan Stadium will serve as the venues.
The IRFU also has high hopes of ensuring the men’s Rugby World Cup comes to Ireland in 2023.
China, Hong Kong, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Netherlands, Samoa, South Africa, Wales and Olympic-qualified pair Brazil and Colombia will join Ireland in Dublin this August to compete for the final two places on the world circuit.
It goes without saying that a return to the circuit would be an important step for Ireland, teeing them up for a strong shot at qualifying for the Rio Olympics next year. The 3,000-capacity UCD Bowl will serve as the venue for games in August.
“I would like to thank the IRFU for hosting this tournament and I’ve no doubt all the teams will be working hard in preparation as they seek to qualify for next season’s series,” said World Rugby chairman Bernard Lapasset in an IRFU statement.
“For two teams that effort will bear fruit and for the rest I’m sure they will benefit from the experience of competing in an elite, high-intensity, two-day sevens event.”