Ireland World Cup Sevens Squad Announced

Ireland coach Ryan Constable has confirmed his squad for this month’s IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens finals in Hong Kong, with Belfast Harlequins fly-half Ian Humphreys captaining the side.

Humphreys was involved in Ireland’s two Sevens outings on the IRB circuit this season in Dubai and George, South Africa last December.

The Shield final was reached in Dubai, before Constable’s charges lost to a much-improved Tunisian outfit 17-5, and a week later at the South African leg, they narrowly lost 24-19 to Canada in the Bowl semi-finals.

The fourth-running of the World Cup sees Constable introduce three newcomers to the Irish set-up – with UCD’s Kevin Croke, Brendan O’Connor of Cork Constitution and Shannon centre Brian Tuohy uncapped.

Ireland has been drawn in Pool A with 2001 champions New Zealand, Scotland, Tonga, Korea and the USA. The country’s best Sevens World Cup finish came in the inaugural event in 1993, when a Denis McBride-led Ireland lost 21-19 to Australia in the Cup semi-final.

The 2005 12-man squad – together with the management team – depart for Hong Kong International airport on Thursday, March 10.

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The Ireland Sevens squad to play in the Rugby World Cup Sevens Finals in Hong Kong from March 18-20, is as follows:

Mark Bruce (Loughborough University)

Kevin Croke (UCD)*
David Hewitt (Clontarf)

Tomas O’Leary (Dolphin)
Ian Humphreys (Belfast Harlequins) (Capt)
Andy Maxwell (Ballymena)
Michael McComish (Ballymena)

Martin McPhail (UL Bohemians)
James Norton (UCD)
Brendan O’Connor (Cork Constitution)*
Niall Ronan (Lansdowne)

Brian Tuohy (Shannon)*

Management:

Ryan Constable (Coach)

George Spotswood (Manager)
Ailbe McCormack (Physio)

* denotes new cap

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Ireland Pool A fixtures: (all kick-offs Irish time (Hong Kong +8 hours)):

Friday, March 18: 2.49am: Ireland v Scotland
8.41am: New Zealand v Ireland
11.52am: USA v Ireland

Saturday, March 19: 3.26am: Ireland v Korea
9.47am: Tonga v Ireland