Irish Rugby 7’s team come 3rd in Malemort tournament.

The Ireland Women finished the opening leg of the Rugby Europe Sevens Grand Prix Series in style with a 26-7 win over England to claim third place in Malemort – and some valuable points towards Rugby World Cup Sevens qualification.

You can see highlights of their playoff with England below.

Anthony Eddy’s side now have a real chance of claiming one of two qualifying spots for next summer’s Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament. Third is also Ireland’s highest placing at the Malemort 7s, following on from fifth (2015) and fourth (2016).

Ireland beat Italy 22-7 in the opener before going ton to beat Portugal 47-7 in their second pool match with Munster and UL Bohemians’ Louise Galvin having a fine game. Last up in the pool was England who Ireland went on to beat 24-12.

Last to play in their group was England and Ireland weren’t going to let their winning streak go. They bet England 24-12 winning out their Pool C.

Ireland went into the Quarter finals full of confidence and went out an had a great display of rugby against Spain beating them 15-0 and making it four wins in a row.

They faced tough opposition from France in the semi-final and the game finished 7-14 with the french going through to the final. The 3rd/4rd place playoff was Ireland’s lot where they once again accounted for England beating their previous pool opponents by 24-7.

It was a fantastic tournament for the Irish women. They may not have got to the final but they can look at this and see what they can improve on for their next game.

IRELAND WOMEN’S SEVENS Squad (Rugby Europe Women’s Sevens Grand Prix Series, Raymond Faucher Stadium, June 17-18)

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 (Buccaneers/UCD (dual status)/Leinster)
Lucy Mulhall (Rathdrum/Leinster) (capt)
Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe (Railway Union/Munster)

Audrey O’Flynn (Ireland Sevens Programme)
Hannah Tyrrell (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Megan Williams (St. Mary’s)