Three Munster Players Named For Sweden Sevens

Three Munster players have been named to compete in the Rugby Europe Men’s Trophy competition in Malmö, Sweden on the 11th and 12th of June.

The Rugby Europe Trophy competition is held over two legs, with the second leg taking place in Prague on the 2nd and 3rd of July. The overall winner of this competition will be promoted onto the Rugby Europe Grand Prix series with the likes of the English, Scottish and Russian 7s sides.

The squad has a similar make-up to the one that reached the Semi-Finals of the Amsterdam 7s on the last weekend of May.

Munster Academy player Dan Goggin retains his place as well as Munster Development player Alex Wootton.
Added to the squad is Shannon’s Stephen Fitzgerald who is also part of the Munster Academy.

Speaking ahead of the side departing for Malmö, Head Coach Anthony Eddy said "the Rugby Europe tournament is very important for the development of the Men's Sevens programme in Ireland. We aim to do well in the Trophy competition so we can continue our promotion to the Grand Prix series next year. The squad has been preparing well and gaining valuable experience from playing in tournaments”.

An Ireland Development Squad has also been named to compete in the first stage of the Elite Super Sevens Tournament on Saturday, 7th June in Maidenhead, England which includes Munster Academy player Ollie Lyons from Shannon RFC.

"We are developing a strong panel of Sevens players and it's important that they get as much game time as possible”, said Eddy. “This will be a high quality tournament and series and provides valuable playing experience as well as an opportunity for players to put themselves forward for further selection.”

Ireland Men's 7s Squad – Rugby Europe – Men's Sevens Trophy, Stage 1, Malmö, Sweden

Adam Byrne – UCD / Leinster
Barry Daly – UCD
Tom Daly – Lansdowne FC / Leinster
Billy Dardis – UCD / Leinster
Ian Fitzpatrick – Lansdowne / Leinster
Stephen Fitzgerald – Shannon / Munster
Dan Goggin –Young Munster / Munster
Shane Layden – Buccaneers
Harry McNulty – UCD
Matthew Oppermann – Lansdowne FC
Steve Toal-Lennon – St. Mary's
Alex Wootton – Garryowen / Munster

Ireland Men's Sevens Squad Fixtures – Rugby Europe – Men's Sevens Trophy, Stage 1, Malmö, Sweden

Saturday 11th June 2016
Ireland Men's Sevens v Latvia – 11am (local time) / 10am (Irish time)
Ireland Men's Sevens v Israel – 2.07pm (local time) / 1.07pm (Irish time)
Ireland Men's Sevens v Monaco – 4.52pm (local) / 3.52pm (Irish time)

Sunday 12th June 2016
Play-offs

For more information visit; http://www.rugbyeurope.eu/
Match updates will be available via the Irish Rugby Twitter – www.twitter.com/IrishRugby

Ireland Men's 7s Development Squad – Super Sevens Series – Maidenhead

David Busby – Queens University / Ulster
Jordan Conroy – Tullamore
Matthew D'Arcy – Lansdowne FC
Colm Hogan – Dublin University
John O'Donnell – Sale Sharks
Conor Kelly – Queen's University / Ulster
Ollie Lyons – Shannon / Munster
Rob Lyttle – Queen's University / Ulster
Mick McGrath – Clontarf FC
Isaac O'Grady – unaffiliated
Mark Roche – Lansdowne FC
Nick Timoney – Queens University / Ulster

Ireland Men's Sevens Development Squad Fixtures – Super Sevens Series – Maidenhead

Saturday 11th June 2016
Ireland Men's Sevens Development v Forces Exiles, 10.40am
Ireland Men's Sevens Development v WS Marauders, 1.20pm

Play-Offs will follow after the group games are completed.