Ireland Sevens Teams Secure World Cup Qualification In Bucharest

The Ireland Women brought a hotly-contested Rugby World Cup Sevens European Qualifier to a close with a convincing 36-0 play-off win over Portugal to secure their place in South Africa.

Aiden McNulty’s side wrapped up their summer campaign in fine style with four straight wins, including this morning’s 52-0 triumph over Czechia. They scored 177 points (29 tries) and conceded none across the two days.

Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, who ran in a hat-trick against the Portuguese, was the star turn in terms of try-scoring again. She finished the tournament with 10 tries.

Captain Lucy Mulhall also impressed across the weekend, her tally of 53 points made up of five tries and 14 conversions. Anna McGann also notched five tries and Eve Higgins contributed four.

Round-Up: Ireland Women Qualify For Cape Town With Plenty To Spare

In Pics: Four Wins Send Ireland Women Through To Sevens World Cup

Meanwhile, as was the case in San Francisco in 2018, Ireland will have two teams at the RWC Sevens as the Men’s team also strung together four victories at Romania’s National Rugby Stadium.

There were four qualifying places on offer and James Topping’s charges, who were without the suspended Jordan Conroy for the final game, overcame a dogged Georgia outfit, 17-12, to book their World Cup spot.

On the back of Spain’s shock exit at the hands of Portugal, Ireland made a nervy start and the Georgians seized a 7-0 lead. Tries from Ed Kelly and Terry Kennedy steadied the ship, putting five points between the sides at half-time.

Georgia were unable to take advantage of Mark Roche’s sin-binning, and the well-organised Irish defence was rewarded when Kennedy broke downfield and the supporting Bryan Mollen finished off smartly in the right corner.

The Lelos had the final say but their try came past the hooter, with Ireland having done enough to win through to their seventh Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament.

Round-Up: Ireland Men Beat Georgia To Book Sevens World Cup Berth

In Pics: Job Done As Ireland Men Claim Sevens World Cup Spot

The Ireland Men competed at the 1993, 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009 and 2018 World Cups – they were beaten semi-finalists at the inaugural event, and finished ninth four years ago, winning the Challenge Trophy.

Currently fifth in the standings, they are set to achieve their best ever HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series finish when the campaign climaxes in Los Angeles next month.

The Ireland Women, who had a historic fourth place finish in the series this season, will also head to Cape Town with big ambitions on the back of their best year ever on the global circuit.

Mulhall and her team-mates have World Cup experience in their ranks from 2018. They finished sixth four years ago, beating England and Russia when they were ninth seeds.