SEVENS RUGBY IN Ireland has received a major boost with IRFU approval for the Shamrock Warriors club whose objective is to develop a pool of
players for a national side which will eventually take part in the major international sevens events and ultimately the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

Former Leinster, Ulster and Scotland coach Matt Williams has been appointed technical director and the Australian will be able to draw on a
pool of former professional players and All-Ireland League players.

The Warriors will take part in eight tournaments in Britain and Ireland over the summer months, including the Kinsale 7s, and hope to travel to Hong Kong and Dubai in future seasons.

The long-term goal is for the  Warriors to develop a body of experienced Sevens players which the IRFU may tap into depending on the decision on professional Sevens involvement at the Rio Olympics in 2016 and IRB Sevens circuit. Said Williams:

“We need partners to come on this journey with us. Hopefully, the journey ends up in Rio and we will get the Sevens going and the IRFU come in and support it.”

A Shamrock Warriors women’s squad, coached by ex-Ireland captain Sarah Jane Belton, is also set to take part in competitions this summer. check out what they had to say at yesterday’s launch: