The Ireland Men's and Women's 7s Squads have been named for the first round of the Rugby Europe Sevens Championship in Portugal this weekend. This year's Championship Series 2023 will take place across two legs in Algarve, Portugal (9-11 June) and the second in Hamburg, Germany (7-9 July).
For the Men's Squad this weekend is a crucial part of the build up to the Olympic Qualifying tournament at the European Games in Krakow at the end of the month. There is a welcome boost for the squad with the return of former World 7s Player of the Year, Terry Kennedy.
Kennedy, who has been on sabbatical from the squad, did feature at the Australia and New Zealand legs of the World Series and he returns as the team aim aim for a second Olympic qualification.
Ireland finished 8th on the series, just ahead of this weekend's Pool C opponents and one of the key rivals for that Olympic spot later this month, Great Britain. The two sides will square off on Day 2, with Ireland facing France and Belgium on Day 1.
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Leinster’s Clare Gorman in action in the Vodafone Women's Interpro - Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan[/caption]
In the Women's tournament Lucy Mulhall and Aimee Leigh Murphy Crowe are rested which opens the door for some of the newer members of the squad and new cap Clare Gorman (pictured above) to feature alongside the likes of the experienced Eve Higgins and Stacey Flood, who captains the team.
The Women's team open their account on Friday morning against Sweden.
You can keep up to date with scores and fixtures on the Rugby Europe Website and you can watch all the games live on rugbyeurope.tv
Leinster’s Clare Gorman in action in the Vodafone Women's Interpro - Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan[/caption]
In the Women's tournament Lucy Mulhall and Aimee Leigh Murphy Crowe are rested which opens the door for some of the newer members of the squad and new cap Clare Gorman (pictured above) to feature alongside the likes of the experienced Eve Higgins and Stacey Flood, who captains the team.
The Women's team open their account on Friday morning against Sweden.
You can keep up to date with scores and fixtures on the Rugby Europe Website and you can watch all the games live on rugbyeurope.tv
Rugby Europe Men's 7s Championship - click here
Rugby Europe Women's 7s Championship - click here