Ireland Women’s ambitions to compete on two fronts will be severely tested at the end of this month when they take part in the penultimate leg of the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series 2016-17 in Victoria, Canada on 27 May – 28 May.

With nine of the Seven’s regulars named, earlier this week, in the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup training panel it’ll certainly be an interesting selection when the Sevens team for the World Series is selected later this month, especially as Ireland Women are scheduled to begin their World Cup Warm Up matches the following week.

Despite a disappointing Day 1 from the Sevens team in the last round in Japan, the Sevens squad should have confirmed their reselection for next year’s tournament, as it’s unlikely that Spain or Brazil will overtake them, so it may well be an experimental side that we see.

Whoever they select it’ll be another tough opening day with matches against Australia, Fiji and Spain scheduled. They have never beaten Australia and Fiji have a definite upper hand this season so, I’d guess, that they will be targeting the game against Spain as their Day 1 objective.

You should be able to watch Day 1 matches live online via World Rugby Facebook and YouTube feeds.

Ireland Women’s Sevens fixtures Round 5. Day 1 Canada.

All times UK/Ireland

19:14 Saturday 27th May: Fuji v Ireland

22:20 Saturday 27th May: Australia v Ireland

00:42 Sunday 28th May: Ireland v Spain