‘You might have young players suddenly see an opportunity to become an Olympian’

A MOMENTOUS WEEKEND lies ahead for sevens rugby in Ireland.

Across Saturday and Sunday, UCD plays host to the Olympic Qualifying tournament as Ireland’s women’s side go up against 15 other nations for the final spot at the Rio Games.

The opportunity is clear.

Lucy Mulhall is captain of the Ireland side. Source: Colm O’Neill/INPHO

Qualify into the Olympics and sevens rugby can move into an utterly new level of public awareness and interest. Many Irish people who have never even engaged with 15s rugby would be exposed to the seven-player code, such an entertaining and alluring game.

Of course, captain Lucy Mulhall and her squad will be motivated by the more immediate reward of playing in the Olympics in August, but there is genuine scope for a legacy if they can beat the likes of Russia and Spain this weekend.

Anthony Eddy is the IRFU’s director of sevens and women’s rugby, and the Australian understands the chance this weekend.

Ireland’s men’s sevens team came within three wins of Olympic qualification last weekend in Monaco, but suffered a quarter-final defeat to eventual Rio qualifiers Spain.

That dream is dead but the women have their shot at a notable achievement.

“You might have young players that have played different sports that suddenly see an opportunity to become an Olympian, as well as representing their country.”

Eddy believes that progress in Irish sevens has been made in recent times. The men’s programme was only re-launched in 2015 after years of the IRFU insisting it was not a strong use of resources.

A win over Samoa last weekend in Monaco was a major achievement and there have been two pieces of silverware so far as they look to rise towards eventual qualification for the World Sevens Series.

Eddy joined the IRFU in 2014. Source: Gary Carr/INPHO

The women, meanwhile, returned to the Series this season, although they found the going tough and finished 12th out of 14 teams in the overall standings.

“I think it has grown,” says Anthony of the IRFU’s sevens programmes. “The men did a fantastic job last weekend. We were bitterly disappointed to lose to the eventual winners but over the last 18 months, that’s been a part-time programme.

“Those players should be really proud with what they have achieved and I’m sure they are.

“The women’s programme, it’s a similar sort of thing – over the last 18 months we’ve managed to get on the World Series which is giving the game greater recognition around the country. Ideally, this weekend, we can get the result we’re looking for.”

Victory for Ireland this weekend would see them secure World Series status for next season, as well as that final Olympic spot.

Already, UCD’s Belgrove Residence accommodation and the nearby training pitches are busy with several of the competing teams for the Olympic Qualifier in town to prepare.

Ireland’s pool pits them against China, Portugal and Trinidad and Tobago – all which should be manageable fixtures for Eddy’s side. Realistically, failure to reach a semi-final at the very least would be surprising for Ireland in this tournament.