Ireland 7s route to Rio

The Lost Sheep

Nobody really saw the other thread and I suppose this actually deserves a thread for itself

So Next stage of screening/selection process for the Men's side is this weekend.
45 players in Lansdowne for training/games etc Then exiles and players from the academies will join for a further selection day before squad is picked for the competitions to take place over the summer

Draw for European Championships has also been made. We're in Division C which will be played June 6/7
Pool A: Bosnia, Austria, Iceland, Malta
Pool B: Turkey, Belarus, Montenegro, Ireland
Pool C: Estonia, Serbia, Liechtenstein, San Marino

Finish in top 4 we qualify for Division B which will be played in Croatian June 20/21

The highest-ranked team in Division B then qualifies into the European Olympic Repêchage Tournament on 25/26 July [venue to be announced], the winner of which secures a place in the 2016 Rio Olympics
England currently are not in direct places for a world cup spot so we could have to play them if we got to Repechage stage of competition
http://www.the42.ie/ireland-sevens-rio-olympics-1985116-Mar2015/

Any thoughts on which academy/contracted players could be involved in this side and any club players

errlloyd

Surely Isa Nacewa is Irish qualified at this stage.

thebaz

even at this short notice Ireland should be able to put together a reasonable 7s team utilising many players from the academies and the A teams and squad players not getting much game time .

Matt Healy,
Marmion,
Dave Kearney,
Dom ryan,
Hanrahan,
Gilroy,
Conway,
Madigan,
Van de Flier
Conan
Luk Fitzgerald

just a few names I can think of, and I'd only really know leinster, who i'd expect to be good at 7's.

Hagz

Well in terms of Leinster lads, I think Sam Coghlan Murray could do damage in 7's. I'd also like to see the two speedsters Kelleher and Byrne involved.

sydthebeat

Mick mc grath lads.....

wp_rathead

Niyi from Connacht.

The Lost Sheep

wprathead wrote: »

Niyi from Connacht.

He has a good shot and would have plenty of 7s experience from his time in Trinity as Tony Smeeth always has had Trinity sides playing a lot of 7s competitions.

Thud

luckily we avoided pool C, the pool of death!

bah06

only non contracted players being looked at

sydthebeat

bah06 wrote: »

only non contracted players being looked at

i assume that means senior contracts

The Lost Sheep

bah06 wrote: »

only non contracted players being looked at

Academy players will be looked at. I assume you are talking about full senior contracted players?

Neil3030

Will need a few lads out of retirement but I would love to see a 7s team of:

7. Mike Ross
6. Tony Buckley
5. John Hayes
4. Rodney Ah You
3. Claw
2. Stephen Ferris
1. Big Mal

.ak

Does development contracts count?

From Leinster:
Mick McGrath
Cian Kelleher
SCM
Billy Dardis
Ringrose

Munster:
Luke O'Dea - is he fully contracted?
Fitzgerald

Ulster:
I actually don't know many of Ulster academy prospects, but I imagine the bulk of eligible players will actually come from Ulster. It's breeding ground for quick centres, the type who excel at 7s.

Conn: Same as above, seem to be some good back three prospects coming out of Connacht. I presume Healy is on a full time contract now?

.ak

Neil3030 wrote: »

Will need a few lads out of retirement but I would love to see a 7s team of:

7. Mike Ross
6. Tony Buckley
5. John Hayes
4. Rodney Ah You
3. Claw
2. Stephen Ferris
1. Big Mal

I felt tired just reading that.

bah06

yes just academy not development or full senior

Neil3030

To be honest, I just want to see Mike Ross play 7s. I'd probably prefer that to Ireland winning the RWC.

thebaz

having just looked at the other countries and some of the players listed , we should win by cricket scores against any of that opposition.

The Lost Sheep

The last round of the 14-15 world series is next weekend.
Fiji, South Africa and New Zealand have taken three of the four automatic Olympic places so far. England are currently on 117 points with Australia on 101. With Englands lowest points total in this seasons world series 10 points its quite difficult to see them getting over hauled by the Aussies.
This makes Irelands very very slim chances of making the Olympics that bit easier as England, Wales and Scotland will all be out of the running in the European qualification series.

Irelands first outing will be 3 weeks from next weekend. Hopefully we will see a squad list soon
Ireland must finish in the top 4 to make it through to Division B.

Division C of European Championships:
Pool A:
Bosnia, Austria, Iceland, Malta
Pool B:
Turkey, Belarus, Montenegro, Ireland
Pool C:
Estonia, Serbia, Liechtenstein, San Marino

bradders90

Will the u19 lads from a couple weeks back be considered?

The Lost Sheep

bradders90 wrote: »

Will the u19 lads from a couple weeks back be considered?

No IMO. None of those who played are currently in the academy and unless they were at the screening sessions held so far and made it through I don't see any of them being near this squad. The squad will be players from the academies and the screening sessions held over past few months

b.gud

.ak wrote: »

Conn: Same as above, seem to be some good back three prospects coming out of Connacht. I presume Healy is on a full time contract now?

Gaffney would probably be top of the list of academy players. He's in his 2nd year of U20s with Ireland and looks a v good by all accounts.

Peter Robb would be a good look in as well, haven't seen him play in any of the Connacht A games but he looked pretty good for the U20s last year.

Caolin Blade is a scrum half who is pretty nippy and put in a couple of good performances for the senior team this year including the away win to Bayonne where he scored 2 tries and pleased headline writers across the country

And yes Healy is on a senior contract until the end of next year

locum-motion

errlloyd wrote: »

Surely Isa Nacewa is Irish qualified at this stage.

Capped by Fiji, long ago, so will never be IQ, unfortunately.

The Lost Sheep

b.gud wrote: »

Gaffney would probably be top of the list of academy players. He's in his 2nd year of U20s with Ireland and looks a v good by all accounts.

Peter Robb would be a good look in as well, haven't seen him play in any of the Connacht A games but he looked pretty good for the U20s last year.

Caolin Blade is a scrum half who is pretty nippy and put in a couple of good performances for the senior team this year including the away win to Bayonne where he scored 2 tries and pleased headline writers across the country

And yes Healy is on a senior contract until the end of next year

Doubt many of them will be involved. Don't think Robb would suit 7s at this level tbh but Blade would be interesting to see.

locum-motion wrote: »

Capped by Fiji, long ago, so will never be IQ, unfortunately.

Post wasn't serious im fairly sure...

Hopefully IRFU can post squad list for next months Division C appearances soon enough...

CIARAN_BOYLE

locum-motion wrote: »

Capped by Fiji, long ago, so will never be IQ, unfortunately.

but its different now

if be hadnt left the country he could have just played a 7s game for ireland and then he would be iq

locum-motion

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

but its different now

if be hadnt left the country he could have just played a 7s game for ireland and then he would be iq

What do you mean it's different now?

Are you saying that a player who has played for one country is now allowed to play for another?

Because that would be a pretty MAJOR rule change, and I'm sure it would have been commented upon in the media if it had happened.

Have you a source for your claim?

irishbucsfan

locum-motion wrote: »

What do you mean it's different now?

Are you saying that a player who has played for one country is now allowed to play for another?

Because that would be a pretty MAJOR rule change, and I'm sure it would have been commented upon in the media if it had happened.

Have you a source for your claim?

It extends to the 7s only, and yes it was commented on in the media. Mostly about the idea of Steffon playing for France I think.

CIARAN_BOYLE

locum-motion wrote: »

What do you mean it's different now?

Are you saying that a player who has played for one country is now allowed to play for another?

Because that would be a pretty MAJOR rule change, and I'm sure it would have been commented upon in the media if it had happened.

Have you a source for your claim?

You can play 7s for a new country and then play 15s for that new country. There was major media commentary particularly about Armitage

The Lost Sheep

locum-motion wrote: »

What do you mean it's different now?

Are you saying that a player who has played for one country is now allowed to play for another?

Because that would be a pretty MAJOR rule change, and I'm sure it would have been commented upon in the media if it had happened.

Have you a source for your claim?

It is allowed now and its due to sevens entering the Olympics. It has been commented on in the media. The change is due to something to do with the Olympic charter
http://en.espn.co.uk/olympicgames/rugby/story/243091.html

locum-motion

Wow.

I stand corrected, guys.

Thanks.

irishbucsfan wrote: »

It extends to the 7s only, and yes it was commented on in the media. Mostly about the idea of Steffon playing for France I think.

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

You can play 7s for a new country and then play 15s for that new country. There was major media commentary particularly about Armitage

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

It is allowed now and its due to sevens entering the Olympics. It has been commented on in the media. The change is due to something to do with the Olympic charter
http://en.espn.co.uk/olympicgames/rugby/story/243091.html

Guy:Incognito

How much would we have to pay sonny bill and a couple of others to play a game of 7s for us before the world cup :-)

hahashake

You have to have Olympic eligibility to switch countries, i.e. citizenship.

RedemptionZ

Does anyone have a list of the prospective squad, or even a few names?

The Lost Sheep

RedemptionZ wrote: »

Does anyone have a list of the prospective squad, or even a few names?

Michael Lawton ex Ballynahinch, Dungannon, Flyde(Scotland) outside back is in the squad.
Who knows when whole squad will be announced.

FrannoFan

RedemptionZ wrote: »

Does anyone have a list of the prospective squad, or even a few names?

I understand a squad of 28 or so has been selected to train. i don't think any pro players are involved with that(so they may be added in time) the number isn't exclusively rugby players as far as i know- athletes from other backgrounds have been trialed such as GAA and athletics

The Lost Sheep

FrannoFan wrote: »

I understand a squad of 28 or so has been selected to train. i don't think any pro players are involved with that(so they may be added in time) the number isn't exclusively rugby players as far as i know- athletes from other backgrounds have been trialed such as GAA and athletics

The men's teams has underwent the same process as the women's team and anyone from other sports could try out for the team.
There would always have been some pro players looked at and will be added. They'll look at guys on edge of the provincial squads who're not getting huge game time in pro12 and will be suited to 7s

There will be two squads competing as we have sides entering both the European Championships and the GB Sevens.
The GB7s takes place across three legs, in Edinburgh on 30 May, in Coventry on 6 June and in Colwyn Bay on 13 June.
The European Championships Division C take place on 6/7 June.

b.gud

Here's the squad http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/34621.php

Ireland Men's Sevens Squad 2015
Cian Aherne (Lansdowne /Leinster)
Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/ Leinster)
Alan Bennie (Clanwilliam /Munster)
Adam Byrne (UCD/Leinster)
Aaron Cairns (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
Tom Daly (Lansdowne/ Leinster)
Matthew D'Arcy (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
Ian Fitzpatrick (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Dan Goggin (Young Munster/Munster)
Eoghan Grace (Exiles)
Foster Horan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Alex Kane (Exiles)
Terry Kennedy (St Mary's College/ Leinster)
Michael Lawton (Exiles)
Shane Layden (Buccaneers/ Connacht)
Gearoid Lyons (Young Munster/ Munster)
Diarmuid McCarthy (Young Munster/Munster)
David McGuigan (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
Harry McNulty (UCD/Leinster)
Dave Moore (Blackrock /Leinster)
Luke O'Dea (Shannon/ Munster)
Matthew O'Regan (Exiles)
Mark Roche (Lansdowne/ Leinster)
Steve Toal-Lennon (St Mary's College/ Leinster)
Conor Toolan (St Mary's College/Leinster)
Ciaran Wardle (Exiles)
Alex Wootton (Garryowen/Munster)

.ak

Missing a trick not having Cian Kelleher in there. Probably the best running back in the country with space imo. Excited to see O'Dea and Byrne tho!

.ak

Mick McGrath I thought would fit in too, big fast guy that can break tackles without losing pace.

Mahatma Geansai

Luke O'Dea is probably the most established player involved in the squad on first glance. Hopefully he finds form/fitness and work his way back into the reckoning with Munster. Great to see Diarmuid McCarthy involved too; he's only been back playing rugby for the last year or so.

thomond2006

So the plan is to have a full time 7s team?

cp

Good mix there of academy flyers, and good UBL players who are particularly suited to sevens format.

Wonder will they look to add some more experience somewhere down the line?

Would like to see the likes of Fionn Carr and Mick McGrath involved, if indeed they wanted to be..

Swiwi.

I've always been amazed that Ireland has ignored 7s. A lot of catch-up required to be at the level, given the length of time most other countries have been concentrating on the game.

The Lost Sheep

.ak wrote: »

Missing a trick not having Cian Kelleher in there. Probably the best running back in the country with space imo. Excited to see O'Dea and Byrne tho!

Don't see it especially second sentence. Though CK may have been kept back as wanted for pro12 next season....

thomond2006 wrote: »

So the plan is to have a full time 7s team?

Well they are entering the bottom tier of the European competition and have to work way up to the top tier. Might fall down when come up against sides playing 7s much longer

cp wrote: »

Good mix there of academy flyers, and good UBL players who are particularly suited to sevens format.

Wonder will they look to add some more experience somewhere down the line?

Would like to see the likes of Fionn Carr and Mick McGrath involved, if indeed they wanted to be..

Experience of what though? 7s is quite different and the provinces wont want players to be pulled who may be used in pro12.

Swiwi. wrote: »

I've always been amazed that Ireland has ignored 7s. A lot of catch-up required to be at the level, given the length of time most other countries have been concentrating on the game.

cost, no real tradition of 7s at age grade and club competitions.

thomond2006

So if the Sevens team is taking the Wolfhounds name, does this mean the Ireland A is being re-named or even scrapped?!

.ak

Doubt it. Will probably just be Irish Wolfhound 7s, also currently the 15s Wolfhounds is refereed to as Ireland A officially on any fixture lists.

CIARAN_BOYLE

thomond2006 wrote: »

So if the Sevens team is taking the Wolfhounds name, does this mean the Ireland A is being re-named or even scrapped?!

There are two teams, Ireland 7s which will attempt to qualify for Europe and Ireland Wolfhounds 7s which is competing in a smaller competition GB sevens series to give backup players outside the main squad experience in case they are needed.

IE they are the Ireland A sevens team.

thomond2006

Whatever about the rugby differences between 7s and 15s, I think it's a good idea to give some fringe/young players an opportunity to travel the world and develop new skills.

FrannoFan

Ireland Sevens squad.
Cian Aherne (Lansdowne /Leinster)
Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/ Leinster)
Alan Bennie (Clanwilliam /Munster)
Adam Byrne (UCD/Leinster)
Aaron Cairns (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
Tom Daly (Lansdowne/ Leinster)
Matthew D’Arcy (St. Marys/Leinster)
Ian Fitzpatrick (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Dan Goggin (Young Munster/Munster)
Eoghan Grace (Exiles)
Foster Horan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Alex Kane (Exiles)
Terry Kennedy (St Mary’s/ Leinster)
Michael Lawton (Exiles)
Shane Layden (Buccaneers/ Connacht)
Gearoid Lyons (Young Munster/ Munster)
Diarmuid McCarthy (Young Munster/Munster)
David McGuigan (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
Harry McNulty (UCD/Leinster)
Dave Moore (Blackrock /Leinster)
Luke O’Dea (Shannon/ Munster)
Matthew O’Regan (Exiles)
Mark Roche (Lansdowne/ Leinster)
Steve Toal-Lennon (St Marys/ Leinster)
Conor Toolan (St Marys/ Leinster)
Ciaran Wardle (Exiles)
Alex Wootton (Garryowen/Munster)

ArmaniJeanss

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Well they are entering the bottom tier of the European competition and have to work way up to the top tier. Might fall down when come up against sides playing 7s much longer

Any chance you could explain the timescale of the challenge to get into the top tier World Series, in a best case scenario?
We go in at Euro C level, guessing there is a Euro B and a Euro A? And from Euro A can you get into the World Series or is there presumably playoffs of some sort against the best of Africa Asia etc.
And can you only get one promotion a season, i.e., contest C this year, B next year, A in 2017, or is there multiple competitions each year?

The Lost Sheep

ArmaniJeanss wrote: »

Any chance you could explain the timescale of the challenge to get into the top tier World Series, in a best case scenario?
We go in at Euro C level, guessing there is a Euro B and a Euro A? And from Euro A can you get into the World Series or is there presumably playoffs of some sort against the best of Africa Asia etc.
And can you only get one promotion a season, i.e., contest C this year, B next year, A in 2017, or is there multiple competitions each year?

We go into European division C which takes place in Bosnia on June 6th/7th. We need to finish in the top 4 there to qualify for Division B. Division B is in Croatia June 20th/21st. Top team in Division B qualifies for Repechage competition which takes place in Portugal July 18th/19th. We would then need to win that to enter the world repechage
Don't know how things worked previous seasons but you can compete in multiple competitions per year

CIARAN_BOYLE

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

We go into European division C which takes place in Bosnia on June 6th/7th. We need to finish in the top 4 there to qualify for Division B. Division B is in Croatia June 20th/21st. Top team in Division B qualifies for Repechage competition which takes place in Portugal July 18th/19th. We would then need to win that to enter the world repechage
Don't know how things worked previous seasons but you can compete in multiple competitions per year

We have no chance at being the European qualifier do we?