World Cup Dream Still Alive For Women’s Sevens

A young Irish Women’s sevens side, in spite of a winless Sunday, secured the country’s highest ever finish in the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series. Taking ninth spot, a jump of three places and 23 series points from last year’s series.

Having already secured their place as a core team in next year’s series, following exploits in Langford, Canada, in June, the Irish were looking to secure their place in the upcoming Sevens World Cup, and are still in with a strong chance when they go to Kazan, Russia, in a fortnight’s time.

Anna McGann, Claire Boles and Niamh Byrne made their debuts as the Ireland Women claimed eighth place in the final leg of the series in Clermont-Ferrand, and the message is very much ‘onwards and upwards’ with Anthony Eddy’s side.

Tipperary native Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe ran in her 20th and 21st tries of the six-tournament series, putting her at the top of the Irish tree, and among the best in the world. Currently plying her trade with Railway Union, the youngster is originally from Clanwilliam and has been capped with Munster’s U18s and senior side.

Murphy Crowe, still just 22, has emerged as one of the best finishers on the circuit. In all, she has scored 31 tries in 54 series appearances – a superb strike rate of 1.74 tries per game.

She will be central to the Irish side’s efforts if they are to get over the line for the World Cup which will be held in 2018 in San Francisco, and join Spain, France, and Russia, who have already qualified from the European section.