Team Ireland has officially selected the Rugby Sevens team who will compete in the Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer. This is the first time that Ireland will field a rugby team in the Games, with the Rugby Sevens event making its debut in 2016 at Rio. The events will take place in the Tokyo Stadium, and will run from Monday 26 July until Wednesday 28 July 2021.
Ireland will face South Africa, Kenya and the United States of America in Pool C. Two teams will progress to the Quarter Final round with two of the best third-placed finishers from across the six groups joining them.
Each of the games is of two seven-minute halves with a two-minute break in between and are fast-paced.
The Irish team dominated the final Olympic repechage last month in Paris when they won every match including the Final against hosts and pre-tournament favourites France.
“Having the honour of being selected to captain Ireland at the Olympics is special and I don’t think I’ll come to realise the enormity of it for some time to come,” said Billy Dardis.
“Going to Tokyo, we as a squad are representing so much more than ourselves and our families, but Irish Sport and Irish Rugby on the biggest sporting stage. To lead this group out at the Olympics will be an extremely proud moment.”
Greg O’Shea is on the team as well, two years on from reaching national fame as a contestant on Love Island. He has previously competed as a sprinter at the Youth Olympic Games.
“The Olympics is the pinnacle of sport,” he said. “So to represent Ireland at the Games is a huge honour and it means even more to be there playing alongside my mates. All the hard work and sacrifice has been worth it and now I just cannot wait to get out there and play.”
“The squad has worked extremely hard for this opportunity, and they will be determined to perform well and represent their country with distinction,” added Anthony Eddy, Sevens Director at the IRFU.
“Very few rugby players get the opportunity to play rugby for their country at the biggest sporting event in the world and this squad of players should be very proud of their achievement and they will be the first of many more to come.”
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