MUNSTER WILL HOST an international club 7s competition this summer, with Thomond Park as the venue.
The ‘Limerick World Club 7s’ event takes place the weekend before the actual ‘World Club 7s’ competition in Twickenham, which only launched last year. With many of the same teams taking part in both tournaments this year, Irish fans will get a chance to watch high quality 7s rugby in the flesh.
Among the teams who will compete in Limerick over the 9th and 10th of August are Premiership challengers Saracens, Super Rugby side NSW Waratahs, Stade Français of the Top 14, and Moscow.
Also confirmed to play in the competition are ITM Cup outfit Auckland, New York, Vancouver, South Africa’s Super Rugby teams Blue Bulls and Western Province, as well as the hosts themselves, Munster.
That Ireland is hosting a high-profile 7s event is encouraging for fans of the code on these shores, particularly with the IRFU still unwilling to re-launch a men’s team. If the Limerick World Club 7s proves a financial success, there may be increased interest from Irish rugby’s governing body in backing an international team in 7s.
Also of interest this summer will be Munster’s selection for the tournament. While the highest-profile international players at the province are unlikely to be involved so early in the 2014/15 season, there is plenty of exciting attacking talent in what will be Anthony Foley’s squad.
Who would you pick on the Munster team for the Limerick World Club 7s?
