Ireland Men’s Sevens Squad Announced For European Series Finale

Terenure College’s Billy Dardis captains the side which includes one new cap in Skerries youngster Hugo Lennox. The 19-year-old has lined out in the green jersey before, but this will be his first capped tournament with the Ireland Sevens squad.

With title wins in the opening two rounds in Moscow and Marcoussis, and a third place finish in Exeter in July, Ireland are currently 10 points clear at the top of the Grand Prix Series standings, with England (46), Russia (44) and Germany (42) leading the chasing pack.

The results on the series so far mean Ireland have secured a place at the Hong Kong qualifying tournament next April where they will compete for a place on the 2019/20 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series. A successful display this weekend would also see them become European Sevens champions for the first time.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, which sees Ireland drawn in Pool C with Italy, Portugal and Spain, Anthony Eddy, the IRFU’s Director of Sevens Rugby, said: “The players had a short break after the Rugby World Cup Sevens at the end of July so they’re really looking forward to getting back out there, having put in good work on the training ground over the last number of weeks.

“It’s a great opportunity this weekend to win the Grand Prix title for the first time, so there’s a big emphasis on putting in good performances and getting the new season off to a positive start.”

Live streaming of the Ireland men’s games in Lodz will be available on www.rugbyeurope.tv.

IRELAND MEN’S SEVENS Squad (2018 Rugby Europe Sevens Grand Prix Series – Round 4, Miejski Stadium, Lodz, Poland, Saturday, September 8-Sunday, September 9):

Robert Baloucoune (Enniskillen/Ballymena (dual status)/Ulster)
Sean Cribbin (Suttonians/Old Belvedere (dual status))
Jordan Conroy (Buccaneers)
Billy Dardis (Terenure College) (capt)
Foster Horan (Lansdowne)
Terry Kennedy (St. Mary’s College)
Adam Leavy (Lansdowne)
Hugo Lennox (Skerries) *
Harry McNulty (UCD)
Bryan Mollen (Blackrock College)
John O’Donnell (Lansdowne)
Greg O’Shea (Shannon)

* Denotes uncapped player

IRELAND MEN’S SEVENS FIXTURES – RUGBY EUROPE SEVENS GRAND PRIX SERIES: ROUND 4:

Saturday, September 8 –

Pool C:

Ireland v Italy, Miejski Stadium, Lodz, 11.06am local time/10.06am Irish time
Ireland v Spain, Miejski Stadium, Lodz, 1.29pm local time/12.29pm Irish time
Ireland v Portugal, Miejski Stadium, Lodz, 4.14pm local time/3.14pm Irish time

Sunday, September 9 –

Play-Offs

The full fixtures and pools are available on the Rugby Europe tournament page.