Team Ireland has officially selected the Rugby Sevens team that will compete in the Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer.

This is the first time that Ireland will field a rugby team in the Games, with the Rugby Sevens event making its debut in 2016 at Rio.

The events will take place at Tokyo Stadium, and will run from Monday, July 26 until Wednesday, July 28.

Ireland dominated the final Olympic repechage on June 19-20 in Monaco, when they overcame all teams en route to a sensational clash with pre-tournament favourites France.

With one Olympic spot up for grabs at the World Rugby Sevens Repechage, the men in green left no stone unturned, emerging as the winners.

The team will now compete in Pool C, facing South Africa, the USA and Kenya in matches which are fast moving and seven minutes per half and a two-minute break between the halves.

There are seven players on the field of play at all times, and throughout the game only five substitutions can be made.

The top two teams from the pool rounds move into the quarter final rounds, as well as the two best third-placed sides. These are followed by semi-finals and finals.

Ireland captain Billy Dardis is looking forward to the team making their Olympic debut, saying:

Having the honour of being selected to captain Ireland at the Olympics is special and I don’t think I’ll come to realise the enormity of it for some time to come.

“Going to Tokyo, we – as a squad – are representing so much more than ourselves and our families, but Irish sport and Irish rugby on the biggest sporting stage.

“To lead this group out at the Olympics will be an extremely proud moment.”

Greg O’Shea is no stranger to the Olympic movement, and previously competed in the Youth Olympics as a sprinter.

“The Olympics is the pinnacle of sport, so to represent Ireland at the Games is a huge honour and it means even more to be there playing alongside my mates,” said the Limerick man.

“All the hard work and sacrifice has been worth it and now I just cannot wait to get out there and play.”

Team Ireland Chef de Mission for Tokyo 2020, Tricia Heberle, commented: “It’s an exciting addition to have another team sport joining us in Tokyo.

“We were all captivated by the exhilarating qualification event in Monaco, and the momentum that they will bring into the Games. They are in form, and we are really looking forward to seeing what they can do now in Tokyo.”

Anthony Eddy, the IRFU Director of Sevens Rugby, added: “We are delighted to be representing Ireland at the Tokyo Olympics. The squad has worked extremely hard for this opportunity.

“They will be determined to perform well and represent their country with distinction. Very few rugby players get the opportunity to play rugby for their country at the biggest sporting event in the world.

“Tis squad of players should be very proud of their achievement and they will be the first of many more to come.”

Team Ireland Sevens Team

Jordan Conroy
Billy Dardis (capt)
Ian Fitzpatrick
Foster Horan
Jack Kelly
Terry Kennedy
Adam Leavy
Hugo Lennox
Harry McNulty
Gavin Mullin
Greg O’Shea
Mark Roche
Bryan Mollen

Team Ireland now consists of 79 officially selected athletes, with over 110 athlete spots confirmed across nineteen sports.

There are five final team announcements to come over the coming week, the official closing date for registering athletes was 4pm on Monday, July 5.

The Olympic Games in Tokyo will run from July 23 to August 8.