Four Munster players named in Irish Women’s Sevens Squad

Munster players Chloe Blackmore, Claire Keohane, Louise Galvin and Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe have been selected for the Irish Women’s Sevens Squad for the Rugby Europe Sevens Grand Prix Series tournament in Malemort this weekend.

They will then contest the last leg of the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series in Clermont, France the following week.

Malemort is the first of two stages of the Rugby Europe Sevens Grand Prix Series, with the second leg taking place in Kazan, Russia on July 8-9.

The ultimate goal for the squad is qualification for next summer’s Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament in San Francisco.

The European Grand Prix Series has two qualification spots with Ireland hopping to claim on over the next four weeks in either Malemort or Kazan.

Ireland’s Pool C opponents in Malemort are England, Italy and Portugal, while their Pool A opponents in Clermont will be New Zealand, USA and Japan.

Ahead of the squad’s departure, head coach Anthony Eddy said:

“We have a busy two weeks ahead of us in France, with two big tournaments coming up.

“The Grand Prix Series will be very important for us this season as we look to secure a place at next year’s World Cup.

“Our focus is very much on the Malemort tournament this weekend, and although the last stage of the World Series is just around the corner in Clermont, it’s very much about getting the Grand Prix off to a good start.”

Ireland Women’s Sevens Squad: Ashleigh Baxter (Cooke/Ulster), Chloe Blackmore (St. Mary’s/Munster), Claire Keohane (UL Bohemians/Munster), Stacey Flood (Railway Union/Leinster), Kim Flood (Railway Union/Leinster), Louise Galvin (UL Bohemians/Munster), Katie Heffernan (Mullingar/Railway Union (dual status)/Leinster), Anna McGann (UCD/Leinster), Lucy Mulhall (Rathdrum/Leinster) (capt), Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe (Railway Union/Munster), Sene Naoupu (Aylesford Bulls), Audrey O’Flynn (Ireland Sevens Programme), Hannah Tyrrell (Old Belvedere/Leinster) and Megan Williams (St. Mary’s).

Malemort Sevens Fixtures: Saturday, June 17: Ireland v Italy, Raymond Faucher Stadium,10.06am Irish time, Ireland v Portugal, Raymond Faucher Stadium,12.51pm Irish time, Ireland v England, Raymond Faucher Stadium, 3.14pm Irish time

This weekend’s matches will also be streamed live on www.rugbyeurope.tv.

Clermont Sevens Fixtures: Saturday, June 24 – Pool A: USA v Ireland, Gabriel Montpied Stadium, 1pm Irish time, New Zealand v Ireland, Gabriel Montpied Stadium, 2.06pm Irish time, Ireland v Japan, Gabriel Montpied Stadium, 4.29pm.