Ireland Men’s Sevens Team To Compete For Olympic Spot In Monaco
World Rugby have announced that Monaco will host the Men’s Sevens Olympic Repechage tournament for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, with Ireland among the 16 competing teams.
The magnificent Stade Louis in Monaco will host the final Men’s Olympic qualifying tournament on Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19, 2016. A total of 16 teams will compete for the one remaining place for Rio 2016 (August 9-11).
The sides battling it out will be Uruguay, Chile, Canada, Mexico, Spain, Russia, Germany, Ireland, Hong Kong, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Tonga, Samoa, Zimbabwe, Morocco and Tunisia.
The Repechage winners will join Fiji, South Africa, New Zealand, Great Britain, Argentina, USA, France, Japan, Australia, Kenya and hosts Brazil at Rio 2016.
Coached by Stan McDowell and captained by Tom Daly, Ireland successfully came through the European Division C and B competitions last summer before qualifying for the World Rugby Olympic Repechage thanks to a third place finish at the Rugby European Repechage tournament in Lisbon in July.
World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “With the road to Rio having reached and inspired new audiences, we are delighted that Monaco will host some of the world’s finest Men’s teams as they compete to claim a coveted final Olympic qualification place.
“I would like to thank Prince Albert of Monaco for his enthusiasm and determination to bring Rugby Sevens to an iconic stadium in a sporting city and we look forward to showcasing Rugby Sevens at its entertaining best.”