Ireland Women’s Sevens Side continue their preparations for the Olympic Sevens Repêchage with participation in the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series in Atlanta this evening. The action in Atlanta starts this afternoon with Ireland’s first pool match kicking off just before 6:00 pm and all the action will be streamed live on worldrugby.org.

As a firm supporter of the XV’s format it’s taken me a while to become enamoured with this shortened version of the game but I did watch extensive coverage of the last round in Sao Paulo and found myself captivated by the athletic ability of the players, albeit those players were mostly from Canada and Australia who competed in the final. 

Last time out Ireland failed to register a win, their play being too predictable, causing me to comment: 

They were pretty much bossed at the breakdown by all their opponents and lack the physical attributes of a couple of big fast forwards to help them maintain possession. Same players tend to deliver the same moves and it appeared in this competition at least, that their cards were well and truly marked.

Despite the return of Sene Naoupu, after her exploits in the Six Nations, I don’t really see that Ireland have made significant changes and are still lacking that big ball carrier that is going to drag defenders in and contribute a physical presence at the break down so it’ll probably be a difficult enough tournament for the Girls in Green. 

However the Irish focus is on Olympic qualification and in that regard improved performances against, fellow Olympic hopefuls, Russia and Spain has to be their main target as they will be providing the main competition in the Repêchage at the UCD Bowl on 25th and 25th June. I’d guess they are targeting their Pool match against Russia as their “must win” later today and if they do achieve a result it will certainly put a different complexion on their season to date. 

As well as Naoupu the team also features Alison Miller and Kim Flood who also featured in the Six Nations, Flood making her first appearance in the World Seven’s Series. Local interest continues with Ashleigh Baxter, the Ulster legend featuring in her third World Series competition since switching from XV’s at the start of the season. 

Ireland Women’s Sevens Squad (Atlanta): Ashleigh Baxter, Katie Fitzhenry, Kim Flood, Stacey Flood, Claire Keohane, Alison Miller, Lucy Mulhall, Amee Leigh Crowe, Sene Naoupu, Audrey O’Flynn, Hannah Tyrrell, Megan Williams.

The team will be captained by Lucy Mulhall following a training injury to regular captain Louise Galvin. 

Pools – Atlanta Sevens

Ireland Match Schedule, Friday 8th April.

All times UK/IRE.