The IRFU has confirmed this evening that it will cease its Men’s Sevens programme following the conclusion of the 2024/25 season, citing the need to ensure long-term financial sustainability and to refocus resources on priority areas identified in its strategic plan.

The announcement follows the release of the IRFU’s financial results last November, which revealed an €18 million deficit for the 2023/24 season.

As part of its cost management strategy, the Union has conducted a comprehensive review of all its programmes, including the Men’s Sevens, which it has now decided to discontinue.

“The financial situation we face is challenging, and it’s crucial that we take decisive action to secure the long-term success of Irish Rugby,” said IRFU High Performance Director David Humphreys.

“While the decision to end the Men’s Sevens programme is a difficult one, it is necessary in order to ensure that our resources are focused on the areas that will have the greatest impact on the future of the game in Ireland.”

The decision was informed by both a World Rugby review and a separate IRFU-commissioned review conducted by Portas Consulting.

According to the Union, the assessment concluded that the Men’s Sevens programme no longer contributes as a development pathway for the 15-a-side game, with provincial academies now providing more robust opportunities for male player development.

In contrast, the Women’s Sevens programme will remain in place. The IRFU sees it as an essential pathway for the Women’s 15s team, which continues to evolve and grow in strength.

“It’s important to note that the Women’s Sevens programme remains a critical part of our development strategy for Women’s 15s rugby,” Humphreys added. “We fully recognise the need for a structured pathway for our female athletes and are committed to continuing the growth of the Women’s programme.”

IRFU CEO Kevin Potts acknowledged the contribution of the Men’s Sevens programme in recent years: “We would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the success of the Men’s Sevens programme, especially in achieving qualification for the Tokyo and Paris Olympic Games. Their unwavering dedication, hard work and skill played a vital role in elevating the profile of Sevens rugby in Ireland.”

However, former captain Billy Dardis has heavily criticised the decision, calling it short-sighted and emotionally deflating. “It’s devastating,” Dardis said, speaking in his new role as Vice Chair of the Olympic Federation of Ireland Athlete’s Commission. “The lads were being told Monday, but a lot are already out looking for jobs. It’s unbelievably deflating. It’s been coming for a while.”

Dardis pointed to structural instability within World Rugby and a lack of IRFU support as key factors in the programme’s decline. “Sevens is probably the younger brother they want to push away and quieten down,” he said. “Internally, the IRFU have been sitting on their hands. They’ll probably point to the €18m deficit, but they have reserves. I’m well aware. We were professionally run, and we had it pretty rosy for a few years.”

He noted that while the team received modest pay—between €18,000 and €30,000 annually—it also benefited from Olympic funding, making the programme’s collapse particularly frustrating. “This shouldn’t be happening. Irish rugby is such a stronghold in world rugby, and we were serious Olympic medal contenders.”

Dardis also credited former Performance Director David Nucifora with establishing the programme following the 2015 World Cup, but said its future became uncertain under Humphreys. “There wasn’t a Sevens academy, cracks were showing. Paris was make or break—we went in ranked second, narrowly lost to Fiji, but didn’t get out of the quarter-finals. It felt like the end of an era.”

Despite the setback, Dardis stressed the programme’s legacy, citing the progression of players like Hugo Keenan (now with the Lions), Zac Ward (Ulster), and Andrew Smith (Munster). “Lots of good things have come out of it. It’s short-sighted by both World Rugby and Irish Rugby.”

Asked whether an Olympic medal could have saved the programme, Dardis replied, “Maybe. The French are still riding the high of a gold medal, but Antoine Dupont helped with that. Maybe it would have made a difference, maybe not.”

Triton Lake have been on board as sponsors of the Sevens programme but whether they retain a relationship with the IRFU has yet to be determined.

 

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