IT’S LAST CHANCE saloon for Ireland’s Women on the road to Rio and Anthony Eddy has named a strong squad for this weekend’s Olympic Qualifying tournament in UCD.
The panel contains many of the players who competed on the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series this season with Ireland 15s captain Niamh Briggs among those included.
The side is captained by Lucy Mulhall for the tournament which takes place in Belfield on Saturday and Sunday.
Ireland have been drawn in Pool C with China, Portugal and Trinidad and Tobago with a place in Rio on the line.
With just one qualifying berth up for grabs, competition will be fierce as Ireland vie with 16 other teams for the final place at this summer’s Games.
“The tournament this weekend is something we’ve been building towards all season,” Eddy said.
“With both Olympic Qualification and a place as a core team on next season’s World Series, we are very much aware of what is at stake.
“The players have gained great experience from being on the World Series this year and understand what is required from them in UCD this weekend so they are looking forward to competing in front of a home crowd and hopefully we can get a good result.”
Ireland’s first assignment is against Trinidad and Tobago at 12.34pm on Saturday before facing Portugal (3.40pm) and China (6.48pm).
The play-offs will then take place on Sunday and tickets are still available here.
Ireland Women’s Sevens squad:
- Ashleigh Baxter – Belfast Harlequins / Ulster
- Niamh Briggs – UL Bohemians / Munster
- Nicole Cronin – Shannon / Munster
- Aoife Doyle – Shannon / Munster
- Louise Galvin – UL Bohemians / Munster
- Kim Flood – Railway Union / Leinster
- Stacey Flood – Railway Union / Leinster
- Alison Miller – Portlaoise / Connacht
- Lucy Mulhall – Rathdrum / Leinster – Captain
- Amee Leigh Murphy-Crowe – Railway Union / Munster
- Audrey O’Flynn – Talent ID Programme
- Megan Williams – St.Mary’s College RFC
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