Sheehan To Play With Ireland Women’s Development Side At Dubai 7s

The Ireland Women’s Sevens Development squad has been selected for the Dubai 7s International Invitational tournament by Anthony Eddy, the IRFU’s Director of Women’s & Sevens Rugby.

The selected squad combines players who have experience on the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series circuit with younger talent that is progressing through the Ireland Women’s Sevens Programme.

Claire Boles, Katie Heffernan and Claire Keohane have all played in World Series tournaments in recent seasons, and their experience of the top level of the game will be important for some of the younger players involved.

Anna Doyle and Emily Lane won their first caps at September’s Rugby Europe Sevens Grand Prix Series finale in Kazan, while Lecky Dunne has come through the IQ Rugby Programme. Another notable inclusion is UL Bohemians winger Laura Sheehan, who won her first two 15s international caps in the past week against the USA and England.

The Ireland Development outfit will be up against the German national team and invitational sides Tribe 7s, who are set to feature several Australian development players, and Phoenix 7s who hail from Miami, Florida and are likely to feature several former internationals.

Anthony Eddy commented: “This will be the third season where we have a side competing in the Dubai International Invitational. The tournament gets more competitive each year, so it will be a great chance for our players to test themselves against some top quality opposition.

“We have seen a number of players who have gained experience on this side progress on to be selected for the World Series competitions, so it’s a great opportunity for the players involved.”

For more information on this week’s Dubai 7s, or to buy tickets, please visit www.dubairugby7s.com.

IRELAND WOMEN’S SEVENS DEVELOPMENT Squad (2018 Dubai 7s Women’s International Invitational Tournament, Sevens Stadium, Dubai, UAE, Thursday, November 29-Friday, November 30):

Claire Boles (Railway Union/Ulster)
Anna Doyle (Tullow/Railway Union/Leinster)
Lecky Dunne (Railway Union/IQ Rugby)
Lauren Farrell-McCabe (Suttonians/Leinster)
Katie Heffernan (Mullingar/Railway Union/Leinster)
Claire Keohane (Railway Union/Munster) (capt)
Lucinda Kinghan (Monaghan/Ulster)
Emily Lane (Mallow/Munster)
Aoibheann Reilly (Ballinasloe/Connacht)
Molly Scuffil-McCabe (Railway Union/Leinster)
Laura Sheehan (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Dorothy Wall (Fethard/Munster)

IRELAND WOMEN’S SEVENS DEVELOPMENT FIXTURES – DUBAI INVITATIONAL:

Thursday, November 29 –

Pool A:

Ireland Development v Tribe 7s, Sevens Stadium pitch 3, Dubai, 8.40am local time/4.40am Irish time
Ireland Development v Phoenix 7s, Sevens Stadium pitch 2, Dubai, 11.20am local time/7.20am Irish time
Ireland Development v Germany, Sevens Stadium pitch 1, Dubai, 2.14pm local time/10.14pm Irish time

Friday, November 30 –

Play-Offs