Qualification for the Olympic Games in Rio next year, while possible, remains a highly unlikely long shot. Regardless, a combination of former professionals, academy recruits and club players will launch Ireland's Sevens programme next month in the city of Zenica,
70 miles north of Sarajevo.
The Olympics is the dream scenario but, speaking realistically, IRFU high performance director David Nucifora accepts Ireland are novices embarking on a new sporting endeavour. "We are starting from scratch," said Nucifora of the amateur squad that is operating on a "shoestring budget".
Savings
Before Nucifora arrived in Ireland last year honorary treasurer
Tom Grace
repeatedly told the union’s annual general meetings that Ireland cannot afford a Sevens programme.
“We have managed to make some savings in other areas to get this programme up and running,” Nucifora said. “Next year we hope to be competing in Division A. If we finish in the top two teams that will get us into the Grand Prix series of Europe the following year. From that you have the ability to qualify for the World Series.
“So there is a bit of work to be done . . . At the very best we are three or four years off [the World Series].”
The programme is headed up by Anthony Eddy, the newly appointed director of Sevens and women’s rugby, with assistance from academy coaches James Topping (Ulster), Hugh Hogan (Leinster), Colm McMahon (Munster) and Lansdowne FC’s Will Matthews.
The 27-man squad includes former Harlequins and Connacht scrumhalf David Moore, former Munster flanker Eoghan Grace and young professionals like Tom Daly, who recently played a prominent role in Lansdowne's All-Ireland league success.
Massive opportunity
“Leinster sent us but if I had a choice I would have went for it,” said Daly. “With the lads away at the
World Cup
in September, October there’s a massive opportunity.”
So, how can Ireland make it to Rio? “ We are starting in Division C of Europe,” Nucifora said. “Our first tournament we must come in the top four, which would put us . . . into Division B.
“If we win Division B we go into a European Olympic repechage in Lisbon in July. That will have the best teams in Europe that haven’t automatically qualified for the Olympics through the World Series . . . If you win the European repechage you go directly to Rio . . .
“So, it’s a long haul but it’s possible.”
