Ireland Men To Face ‘Top Quality Opposition’ In Dubai 7s Invitational

The Ireland men will be captained again by Billy Dardis and the selected squad includes a number of Ireland Sevens regulars, with Jordan Conroy, Terry Kennedy, Adam Leavy, Harry McNulty, Bryan Mollen, John O’Donnell and Greg O’Shea all travelling.

Kerry native Jack Daly (pictured below), who was involved with the Ireland Under-20s last season, has been called up along with Iwan Hughes, who has progressed through the IQ Rugby Programme and featured for the Ireland Under-19s last term. Hugo Lennox and Peter Maher complete the squad.

The Dubai Invitational becomes more and more competitive each season, and this year is set to be no different with Ireland up against familiar rivals Russia, ASC Dukla from the Czech Republic and the France 7s Development team in Pool A.

Other teams also involved in the competition this week are the England 7s Academy, the German national side and the South Africa Academy.

Looking forward to the tournament, Anthony Eddy, the IRFU’s Director of Sevens Rugby, said: “This is a good opportunity for the players to put into practice what we have been working on in training recently. Several of the players selected have competed at this tournament before.

“They will be aware of how competitive it has become, so it’s about being on top form from the start. It will also be a good experience for the younger players in the squad to test themselves against some top quality opposition.”

Tickets for the Dubai 7s tournaments, which also include the HSBC World Rugby Men’s and Women’s Sevens Series legs, can be purchased online at www.dubairugby7s.com.

IRELAND MEN’S SEVENS Squad (2018 Dubai 7s Men’s International Invitational Tournament, Sevens Stadium, Dubai, UAE, Friday, November 30-Saturday, December 1):

Jordan Conroy (Buccaneers)
Jack Daly (Garryowen/Munster)
Billy Dardis (Terenure College) (capt)
Iwan Hughes (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
Terry Kennedy (St. Mary’s College)
Adam Leavy (Lansdowne)
Hugo Lennox (Clontarf)
Peter Maher (Old Belvedere)
Harry McNulty (UCD)
Bryan Mollen (Blackrock College)
John O’Donnell (Lansdowne)
Greg O’Shea (Shannon)

IRELAND MEN’S SEVENS FIXTURES – DUBAI INTERNATIONAL INVITATIONAL:

Friday, November 30 –

Pool D:
 
Ireland v Russia, Sevens Stadium pitch 7, 2.20pm local time/10.20am Irish time
Ireland v ASC Dukla, Sevens Stadium pitch 7, 5pm local time/1pm Irish time
Ireland v France Development, Sevens Stadium pitch 2, 7.28pm local time/3.28pm Irish time

Saturday, December 1 –

Play-Offs