Ireland Women’s Sevens Squad Ready For Canadian Test

The Ireland Women’s Sevens squad will complete back-to-back HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series tournaments this weekend when they take part in the Canada 7s in Langford.

Anthony Eddy’s Ireland side arrived in Victoria, British Columbia last Sunday night following the Atlanta Sevens last week, and have been preparing steadily for the fourth World Series tournament this weekend.

Ireland have been drawn with England, hosts Canada and Japan in Pool C. They will kick off day 1 of the Canada 7s at 11am local time when they take on an English side that finished third in Atlanta last week.

They will then renew acquaintances with Canada, who they will meet for the fourth time at the World Series this season.

With the Westhills Stadium virtually sold out for this weekend, Ireland will be expecting a carnival atmosphere when they face the hosts. The girls in green finish the day against Japan, who they defeated 26-15 in the Bowl final last weekend in Atlanta. There will be live streaming via www.worldrugby.org.

The Irish side will look to the likes of former hockey international Audrey O’Flynn and Fifteens players Sene Naoupu and Kim Flood to create go-forward ball for the Irish backs who include Amee-Leigh Crowe, who scored three tries last weekend in Atlanta, and captain Lucy Mulhall.

Earlier in the week, we spoke to IRFU Director of Sevens and Women’s Rugby Anthony Eddy about the Bowl win in Atlanta and the plans for this week:

The Canada 7s is the second last stage of the 2015/16 World Series. The final stage will take place in Clermont on May 28-29.

Ireland will then compete in the Women’s Sevens Olympic Repechage in UCD on June 24 and 25, tickets for which can be purchased here: http://www.ticketmaster.ie/sevens.

IRELAND WOMEN’S SEVENS Squad (HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series, Langford, Canada):

Katie Fitzhenry (Blackrock/Leinster)
Kim Flood (Railway Union/Leinster)
Stacey Flood (Railway Union/Leinster)
Shannon Houston (Blackrock/Leinster)
Claire Keohane (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Alison Miller (Portlaoise/Connacht)
Lucy Mulhall (Rathdrum/Leinster) (capt)
Amee-Leigh Crowe (Railway Union/Munster)
Sene Naoupu (Galwegians/Connacht)
Audrey O’Flynn (Talent ID Programme)
Hannah Tyrrell (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Megan Williams (St. Mary’s)

MATCH SCHEDULE –

Saturday, April 16:

England v Ireland, Westhills Stadium, Langford, 11am local time/7pm Irish time
Canada v Ireland, Westhills Stadium, Langford, 2.14pm local time/10.14pm Irish time
Ireland v Japan, Westhills Stadium, Langford, 5.06pm local time/1.06am Irish time

Sunday, April 17:

Cup/Bowl/Plate Play-Offs