Sevens

[Ruckedtobits]

Now the problem of the Olympics looms. There are lots of guys in Pro Rugby who would love to make the Olympics. The European Olympic Qualifying Competition takes place at Colombier France on 13th / 14th July.

Will Ireland only select from their Seven Squad or will they broaden it between now and July? The squad is about 20 at present but there are a number of very talented (forwards in particular) who believe they could claim a place ahead of the current encumbents - but they don't want to sacrifice a 15's career as their mainsteam activity. Will they get a look in? Who knows. Nucifora and Eddy will usually do whatever it takes to win, so watch this space.

[cormac]

Will still be a daunting task to qualify for the Olympics for both the mens and womens teams.

Japan qualify automatically as the hosts, while the Top 4 in this season's World Series also get in. Then there are the six winners of the regional qualifiers (Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa, South America and North and Central America). After that there's a repechage for 12 teams who haven't already qualified with the winners of that tournament becoming the last qualifier.

Mens

Obviously not in the World Series this season so can't qualify through that. They will head to the European qualifier in July 2019 in Colomiers. Their chances of winning that would be greatly helped if England could finish in the top four of the World Series. They're currently fifth (nine points behind South Africa) with three tournaments remaining, including one in Twickenham.

Even if England do reach the top four Ireland would still be up against World Series regulars France and Spain. The champions in Colomiers qualify automatically for Tokyo 2020 while second and third get into the repechage tournament which will be held in 2020. Finish any lower than that and the dream is over.

Womens

It's the exact same qualification criteria as the men's tournament but the women's side has one more chance as they are, of course, part of the World Series circuit this season. They currently lie sixth, only two points behind France in fifth, but unfortunately 16 points behind 4th placed Australia. There are three tournaments left but realistically Ireland would need to make the final of them all to reach 4th place overall.

European qualifier is in Kazan in July where they'll likely be facing other World Series teams such as France, Russia, England and Spain. Winner qualifies for Tokyo, while second and third go to the Repechage tournament. 4th or worse and that's it.

[Dave Cahill]

Ireland beat England 21-17 in a pretty error strewn opening game at the Twickers Sevens, Gimli getting the winning try

[cormac]

Lost to New Zealand but beat Scotland. Playing Fiji in the quarter-finals tomorrow.

[Ruckedtobits]

Ireland v Fiji k.o. 12.04 Sunday Sky Sports coverage

[Oldschool]

Looking at the seven's squad it seems to be made up mostly of Leinster players.
Is this just a lack of seven's emphasis by the other provinces or........ (We're just better).....

[kermischocolate]

At this rate Ireland will fancy their chances in the Olympic qualifier for Tokyo.

[Ruckedtobits]

Playing In Final of No 2 (Challenge Cup) competition in Paris on Sunday at 4.06 p.m. v Canada or Eng. Another decent performance.

[kermischocolate]

Lost to Canada in the Challenge Cup final but beat Australia, Scotland and England to get there. Similar to last year they're struggling with consistency but are doing exceptionally well for an invitational team.

12 teams will qualify for the Olympics in Tokyo. Japan (as hosts), Fiji, USA, NZ and SA are already there. 6 teams will qualify via regional competitions with everyone getting a final chance at a final repechage at the end of next season. So one, possibly two more teams from Europe will get there. Be interesting who of Ireland, England (representing Team GB) or France will qualify from Europe (Spain are also a possibility but unlikely with that level of competition) at the competition in Colomiers in July.

Good luck to Ireland for the quest to qualify and for the Series next year.

[Hippo]

There have been some really impressive performances from Ireland as an invitational team, it'll be entertaining to watch them participate fully on the circuit next season.

BTW while the Sevens tournaments are for the most part a good tv watch, why does most of the crowd look like they're on a Stag weekend - is it a condition of attendance? And does Hey Baby really have to be played constantly?

Apologies for the Old Fogeyism.

[Dave Cahill]

Sevens is fine in small doses, but if you were to watch a full day of if you have to be completely elephants

[neiliog93]

Lost to Canada in the Challenge Cup final but beat Australia, Scotland and England to get there. Similar to last year they're struggling with consistency but are doing exceptionally well for an invitational team.

12 teams will qualify for the Olympics in Tokyo. Japan (as hosts), Fiji, USA, NZ and SA are already there. 6 teams will qualify via regional competitions with everyone getting a final chance at a final repechage at the end of next season. So one, possibly two more teams from Europe will get there. Be interesting who of Ireland, England (representing Team GB) or France will qualify from Europe (Spain are also a possibility but unlikely with that level of competition) at the competition in Colomiers in July.

Good luck to Ireland for the quest to qualify and for the Series next year.

You would have to think that England will take the European place, and Ireland will battle it out with France, Spain and Samoa for the final repechage qualification slot.

[hugonaut]

Sevens is fine in small doses, but if you were to watch a full day of if you have to be completely elephants

I'd imagine you're completely sh*tfaced if you're there for the full day.

[kermischocolate]

Lost to Canada in the Challenge Cup final but beat Australia, Scotland and England to get there. Similar to last year they're struggling with consistency but are doing exceptionally well for an invitational team.

12 teams will qualify for the Olympics in Tokyo. Japan (as hosts), Fiji, USA, NZ and SA are already there. 6 teams will qualify via regional competitions with everyone getting a final chance at a final repechage at the end of next season. So one, possibly two more teams from Europe will get there. Be interesting who of Ireland, England (representing Team GB) or France will qualify from Europe (Spain are also a possibility but unlikely with that level of competition) at the competition in Colomiers in July.

Good luck to Ireland for the quest to qualify and for the Series next year.

You would have to think that England will take the European place, and Ireland will battle it out with France, Spain and Samoa for the final repechage qualification slot.

You'd think so but anything is possible. France have been really good in the last couple of months and will have home advantage. Spain, then a non-core team beat Samoa last time round for the final spot in Rio. Ireland are punching well above their weight...

BTW while the Sevens tournaments are for the most part a good tv watch, why does most of the crowd look like they're on a Stag weekend - is it a condition of attendance? And does Hey Baby really have to be played constantly?

Because they've been drinking in the sun for a day or two and put the effort in to dress up. Bit like Ladies Day at Ascot, but more tasteful. Lack of fancy dress is somewhat frowned upon.

[Flash Gordon]

Peter Sullivan did pretty welll and was the leading try scorer in the AIL this year with Lansdowne. He's a former Ireland U20 and Sub Academy player who was unlucky with injury leading to him exiting the Academy. Wonder if we should reconsider that decision? He's a big strong winger who played 12 to Larmour's 13 at Andrew's and he punched enough space for Larmour to weave his magic back then.

If he's not picked up by Leinster, you'd have to wonder whether another Irish province would look at him.

[mildlyinterested]

Leinster should, not sure they will though, unfortunately.

[Ruckedtobits]

We have a few centres of that description at present and CO'B in particular has demonstrated he can do that regularly at Pro14 level. O'Sullivan showed he is big and can carry but his off-loading looked limited in the two sevens games I saw him play.

[mildlyinterested]

Sullivan is a wing at 15's and given how little leinster wings offload, i'm not sure it's an issue.

[kermischocolate]

So the groups are out for the European Qualifier where Ireland's men could qualify for the Tokyo Olympics in July.
Easy enough- they only have to win the tournament which includes France, England and Spain in Colomiers on 13/14 July.
If they don't the teams that finish 2nd and 3rd go into the final repechage for the final place next summer.
https://www.rugbyeurope.eu/pools-announ ... tournament

The Women play in Paris this weekend in the ranking tournament for their qualifier in Kazan on 13/14 july as well. They only have to go and beat Russia in Russia .

[TrapperChamonix]

So the groups are out for the European Qualifier where Ireland's men could qualify for the Tokyo Olympics in July.
Easy enough- they only have to win the tournament which includes France, England and Spain in Colomiers on 13/14 July.
If they don't the teams that finish 2nd and 3rd go into the final repechage for the final place next summer.
https://www.rugbyeurope.eu/pools-announ ... tournament

The Women play in Paris this weekend in the ranking tournament for their qualifier in Kazan on 13/14 july as well. They only have to go and beat Russia in Russia .

How does the "England" team get to qualify? Does it not need to be GB?

Assuming we win our pool, Ireland likely to meet England in SF. France have easier half of the draw.