
THE IRFU IS ready to embrace men’s rugby sevens again, with qualifying an Ireland team for the 2020 Olympic Games in Japan the long-term target.
Ireland has been without a senior international men’s sevens squad since 2009, when a side including Munster’s Felix Jones and Ulster scrum-half Paul Marshall finished as runners-up in the bowl competition.
There has been much frustration among the rugby community in Ireland at the lack of IRFU support for men’s sevens in recent years – a women’s team are currently striving to qualify for the 2016 Olympics – but the IRFU are now ready to accept the growing power of the seven-player code.
TheScore.ie has learned that the IRFU plan to enter a team into level 2 of the FIRA European Sevens circuit in the summer of 2015, aiming to move into Tier 1 in 2016, before competing in a qualifier for the IRB Sevens World Series in 2017, all going according to plan.
That would mean an Ireland team on the hugely-exciting IRB Sevens World Series by 2018 at the earliest and would leave the IRFU in a positive position to compete for qualification into the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
TheScore.ie also understands that the IRFU intend to start a domestic sevens series on the ground in Ireland to support the re-launched national side, swelling the numbers and quality of rugby players with strong sevens’ skill sets.
of the team
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Become a MemberThe involvement of the IRFU’s Performance Director, David Nucifora, has been integral in this progress, with the Australian being a firm believer in the value of the sevens code, both as a standalone sport and as a tool to potentially improve 15-a-side players.
Rugby sevens has exploded in popularity in recent years, with the World Series drawing strong attendances and high-profile sponsors also being increasingly attracted to what are often thrilling weekends at venues such as Hong Kong, Glasgow, Wellington and London.
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