MUNSTER HAVE INCLUDED senior squad members Gerhard van den Heever, Ronan O’Mahony and Luke O’Dea in their group for the Limerick World Club 7s event in Thomond Park this weekend.
Head coach Colm McMahon has also named promising centre Cian Bohane and powerful back row Shane Buckley, as well as academy quintet Stephen Fitzgerald, Jamie Glynn, Ryan Murphy, Rory Scannell and Darren Sweetnam.
The 12-man Munster squad is completed by sub-academy youngsters Ned Hodson and Tomás Quinlan.
McMahon’s side will face Saracens Moscow, San Francisco Golden Gate Rugby and Fijian side Daveta in the pool stages of the competition on Saturday, before the play-off stages take place on Sunday.
Among the players arriving with other clubs for the World Club 7s are Carlin Isles [New York], former Super Rugby star Earl Rose [Western Province], Springbok centre Waylon Murray [Blue Bulls], Fijian 7s specialist Ropate Labalaba [Daveta], New Zealand 7s international Akira Ioane [Auckland] and US Eagles cap Seamus Kelly [New York].
Munster 7s Squad: Cian Bohane, Shane Buckley, Stephen Fitzgerald, Jamie Glynn, Ned Hodson, Ryan Murphy, Luke O’Dea, Ronan O’Mahony (capt.), Tomás Quinlan, Rory Scannell, Darren Sweetnam, Gerhard van den Heever.
Meanwhile, competition organisers have selected a group of Irish players to act as injury cover for the professional 7s team involved in the event this weekend.
Lansdowne FC provide five players to the 11-man ‘Combine Team’ after trials at Thomond Park early this week. Shannon, Cork Con, Newcastle West, St Senan’s, Old Crescent and Enniscorthy also have representation in the squad.
Former Ireland U20 centre Mark Roche and ex-Ireland 7s international wing Cian Aherne make the grade, while Alan Bennie, Adam Griggs, Rob Armstrong, Rhys Joyce, Alex Kirwan, David Shore, Warren Kelly, Eoin Walsh and Rossa Dooley complete the ’13th Team’.
These players were selected after a session including speed tests, 7s-specific drills and live matches on the back pitch at Thomond Park on Monday, with Ultimate Rugby Seven’s Tom Burwell and ex-England Sevens international Will Matthews in charge.
Combine Team: Alan Bennie [Old Crescent], David Shore [Enniscorthy], Warren Kelly [St Senan's], Rossa Dooley [Newcastle West], Rhys Joyce [Shannon], Rob Armstrong [Cork Con], Adam Griggs, Cian Aherne, Eoin Walsh, Alex Kirwan, Mark Roche [all Lansdowne].
“The standard at [the] trials was really impressive,” Burwell told UR7s. ”A lot of Irish players have had very little exposure to 7s previously, but the guys we have selected are up for the task and will no doubt relish the opportunity to play with some of the world-class sides that are taking part this weekend.
“It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them and to line out in Thomond Park will be a great experience that they won’t forget.”
