Ireland Sevens Squads Named For First World Series Double Header Of 2023

After a short break for the festive period, the 2022/23 Series kicks back into gear this weekend at Hamilton’s FMG Stadium Waikato, as the Ireland Men and Women sharpen their focus on the ultimate ambition of Olympic qualification.

The extended 14-player squads have been based in Tauranga for the last week, building and preparing for the first of crucial back-to-back tournaments in Australasia, with Hamilton marking the fourth event in a busy 11-stop Men’s Series and the third stop in the Women’s Series.

Coming off the back of December’s double header in Dubai and Cape Town, the Ireland Men currently sit ninth in the Series standings and are boosted by the return of reigning World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year, Terry Kennedy, to the squad for Hamilton.

Kennedy, who was last season’s leading try scorer in the World Series, is included in James Topping’s extended panel, while Billy Dardis also returns to captain the side.

Uncapped duo Will Goddard and Liam McNamara are named in the squad having featured for the Ireland Development team in Dubai before Christmas.

The Ireland Men reached the Cup Final in Dubai but failed to progress from their pool a week later in Cape Town. Topping’s charges will be hoping to bounce back strongly when they go head-to-head with the USA, Uruguay, and Japan in Pool C this weekend.

Meanwhile, Ireland Women’s coach Aiden McNulty has called up 16s international Natasja Behan for the first time for the January double header.

Behan made her Ireland Test debut during the summer tour to Japan and after featuring for Blackrock College during their Energia All-Ireland League success, the Wexford woman boosts McNulty’s options heading into a crucial period in the campaign.

The Ireland Women, who are currently fifth in the Series standings, will battle it out in Pool C with Brazil, Spain and the USA, whom they faced in the Cape Town Bronze final.

You can watch all the World Series action live on the World Rugby Sevens website.

IRELAND MEN’S SEVENS Squad (HSBC New Zealand Sevens, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand, January 21-22, 2023):

Niall Comerford (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Jordan Conroy (Buccaneers RFC)
Billy Dardis (Terenure College RFC) (capt)
William Goddard (IQ Rugby)
Ed Kelly (Dublin University FC)
Jack Kelly (Dublin University FC)
Terry Kennedy (St Mary’s College RFC)
Liam McNamara (IQ Rugby)
Harry McNulty (UCD RFC)
Bryan Mollen (UCD RFC)
Chay Mullins (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht/IQ Rugby)
Aaron O’Sullivan (UCD RFC)
Mark Roche (Lansdowne FC)
Andrew Smith (Clontarf FC/Leinster)

IRELAND WOMEN’S SEVENS Squad (HSBC New Zealand Sevens, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand, January 21-22, 2023):

Kathy Baker (Blackrock College RFC)
Natasja Behan (Blackrock College RFC)
Megan Burns (Blackrock College RFC)
Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe (Railway Union RFC)
Stacey Flood (Railway Union RFC)
Claire Boles (Railway Union RFC)
Eve Higgins (Railway Union RFC)
Erin King (Old Belvedere RFC)
Vicky Elmes Kinlan (Wicklow RFC)
Emily Lane (Blackrock College RFC)
Kate Farrell McCabe (Suttonians RFC)
Anna McGann (Railway Union RFC)
Lucy Mulhall (Wicklow RFC) (capt)
Béibhinn Parsons (Blackrock College RFC)

IRELAND SEVENS Schedule – New Zealand Sevens:

Saturday, January 21 –

• Ireland Men v Uruguay, FMG Stadium Waikato, kick-off 9.54am local time/8.54pm Irish time Friday night
• Ireland Women v Brazil, FMG Stadium Waikato, kick-off 10.38am local time/9.38pm Irish time Friday night
• Ireland Men v USA, FMG Stadium Waikato, kick-off 1.44pm local time/12.44am Irish time
• Ireland Women v Spain, FMG Stadium Waikato, kick-off 2.18pm local time/1.18am Irish time
• Ireland Men v Japan, FMG Stadium Waikato, kick-off 4.50pm local time/3.50am Irish time
• Ireland Women v USA, FMG Stadium Waikato, kick-off 5.12pm local time/4.12am Irish time

Sunday, January 22 –

• Play-Off Matches