Ireland Men Suffer Back-To-Back Defeats In HSBC SVNS Play-Offs

The introduction of World Rugby’s new HSBC SVNS model for next season means that Division 2 is the highest rung that Ireland (sponsored by TritonLake) can aim for, following their 11th place finish during this year’s Series.

However, James Topping’s side sit bottom of the Play-Offs’ Pool B overnight, and will have to go through the regional qualifier route to Division 3 unless they can pull off a big result against table toppers Uruguay later today (kick-off 8.34pm Irish time – live on RugbyPass TV).

Ireland claimed a losing bonus point in their 19-12 loss to Canada, with Zac McConnell bagging a brace of tries. Earlier on Germany touched down from their first two visits to the Irish 22, earning a 15-0 win in the process.

Unbeaten Uruguay have six points at the summit, followed by Germany and Canada with three points each. The pool winners in LA will qualify for Division 2, while the second and third place finishers in the two pools will have a shot at joining them via play-off finals.

The Second Division of the new HSBC SVNS model will feature six teams per gender across three events. The Third Division for 2025/26 is a standalone Challenger event with eight teams per gender, qualifying from regional competitions.

With Josh Costello doing well to collect Ed Kelly’s kick-off in wet conditions, Ireland had the initial possession against Germany but a stray pass allowed the HSBC SVNS Challenger runners-up to build from inside their own half.

Felix Hufnagel struck for the opening try in the third minute, Niklas Koch attacking off a scrum and passing back inside for Hufnagel to cross from 12 metres out and convert. Referee Evan Urruzmendi dismissed Irish claims of obstruction.

It was Hufnagel’s counter-rucking which led to a turnover off the restart, allowing Germany to quickly extend their lead. Makonnen Amekuedi was released on the edge of the Irish 22, evading the clutches of Dylan O’Grady to make it 12-0.

Despite strong carries from Aaron O’Sullivan and Nicky Greene, coupled with German indiscipline, Ireland were unable to turn some late pressure into points before half-time. Koch managed to disrupt Kelly at the back of a scrum and clear the ball to touch.

Some early second-half momentum for Ireland was halted by a forward pass from Costello, before Amekuedi narrowly missed out on his second try. It was disallowed for a knock-on after he had won the race to Koch’s long kick downfield and dribbled it on.

Josh Kenny found a sliver of space near the right touchline, only for the supporting Bryan Mollen to knock on. It summed up a frustrating first outing for Topping’s men, and a series of late penalties culminated in Hufnagel brilliantly nailing a long-range drop kick.

There was a helter-skelter start to Ireland’s second pool match, with Canada’s Jamie Armstrong missing out on a breakaway try when he misjudged his grounding of the ball. A swift attack down the other end saw McConnell nudge his team in front.

Kenny’s aerial ability ensured Ireland retained possession from Mark Roche’s drop-out, and Costello’s pace saw him gather McConnell’s well-weighted kick through. McConnell followed up to score after Costello was stopped just short by Kalin Sager.

Shannon clubman Costello increased his influence with an important tackle on the advancing Morgan di Nardo. However, di Nardo’s turnover in the fifth minute got the Canadian attack firing, resulting in Thomas Isherwood’s well-taken seven-pointer.

Mollen and Roche then combined to very good effect in defence, holding up Sager as Canada pressed again close to the interval. Ireland scrambled once more to deny Isherwood past the hooter, with Mollen and Tadhg Brophy getting the defensive plaudits.

Trailing 7-5 at the turnaround and with Niall Comerford forced off through injury, Topping’s charges got back on the front foot early in the second period. Captain Mollen won a turnover penalty, and replacement Conor Phillips swept through into the Canadian 22.

O’Grady cleared the quick ruck ball away to McConnell whose quick feet and acceleration saw him get outside Armstrong to dart in under the posts. Brophy added the extras to open up a 12-7 advantage after 10 minutes.

Disappointingly, those points were cancelled out quickly by di Nardo who showed impressive pace to break clear off an 11th-minute ruck. Ethan Turner’s conversion from straight in front split the sides at 14-12.

Canada overcooked their restart for a second time, yet Armstrong lifted them with a turnover penalty. Kainoa Lloyd and di Nardo ran hard to force Ireland backwards, and skipper Kyle Tremblay surged over in the 13th minute to widen the margin to seven points.

Canada misfired again with their restart, kicking it too short. Brophy tapped and tried to spark something, but Greene’s slight knock-on on the ground meant that a share of the spoils was out of Ireland’s reach.

Wherever you are in the world, you can follow the action live from Dignity Health Sports Park on RugbyPass TV. For fans in Los Angeles, tickets for the tournament’s final day are available to buy here.

IRELAND MEN’S SEVENS Squad (HSBC SVNS Play-Off Competition – Dignity Health Sports Park, Los Angeles, Saturday, May 3-Sunday, May 4, 2025):

Tadhg Brophy (Lansdowne FC)
Niall Comerford (UCD RFC)
Josh Costello (Shannon RFC)
Nicky Greene (Garryowen FC)
Daniel Hawkshaw (Buccaneers RFC/Connacht)
Ed Kelly (Dublin University FC)
Josh Kenny (Ireland Sevens)
Zac McConnell (Ireland Sevens)
Bryan Mollen (Old Belvedere RFC) (capt)
Dylan O’Grady (UCD RFC)
Aaron O’Sullivan (Ireland Sevens)
Conor Phillips (Terenure College RFC)
Mark Roche (Lansdowne FC)

IRELAND MEN’S SEVENS Results/Fixtures – HSBC SVNS Play-Off Competition:

Saturday, May 3 –

POOL B:

IRELAND 0 GERMANY 15, Dignity Health Sports Park Pitch 2
Scorers: Ireland: –
Germany: Tries: Felix Hufnagel, Makonnen Amekuedi; Con: Felix Hufnagel; Pen: Felix Hufnagel
HT: Ireland 0 Germany 12

Team: Nicky Greene, Niall Comerford (capt), Aaron O’Sullivan, Ed Kelly, Daniel Hawkshaw, Dylan O’Grady, Josh Costello.

Replacements used: Bryan Mollen, Tadhg Brophy, Josh Kenny, Zac McConnell, Mark Roche.

IRELAND 12 CANADA 19, Dignity Health Sports Park Pitch 2
Scorers: Ireland: Tries: Zac McConnell 2; Con: Tadhg Brophy
Canada: Tries: Thomas Isherwood, Morgan di Nardo, Kyle Tremblay; Cons: Thomas Isherwood, Ethan Turner
HT: Ireland 5 Canada 7

Team: Josh Kenny, Niall Comerford, Bryan Mollen (capt), Mark Roche, Zac McConnell, Dylan O’Grady, Josh Costello.

Replacements used: Tadhg Brophy, Conor Phillips, Nicky Greene, Aaron O’Sullivan, Daniel Hawkshaw.

Sunday, May 4 –

POOL B:

URUGUAY v IRELAND, Dignity Health Sports Park Pitch 2, 12.34pm local time/8.34pm Irish time