Limerick lines out to welcome Rugby World Club 7s festival

Limerick City will be divided into the northern and southern hemisphere this summer — and on either side of this line the food, culture, and music of some of the world’s greatest rugby provinces and clubs will be celebrated as part of its first-ever world club sevens festival.

The inaugural Limerick World Club 7s Festival will be held at Thomond Park on August 9 and 10, the weekend before this year’s World Club 7s event in Twickenham.

Saracens, New South Wales Waratahs, Stade Français, Moscow, Auckland, New York, Vancouver, South Africa’s Blue Bulls and Western Province, and of course Munster Rugby are 10 of the 12 teams confirmed for the two-day tournament and festival at the home of Munster Rugby, Thomond Park.

This year’s event is the first of five which will continue until 2018 each year in Limerick.

Organisers hope that avid sevens fans, who are renowned for their willingness to travel for both the sport and carnival atmosphere associated with it, will take in Limerick for two days before flying on to London.

The stadium director of Thomond Park, John Cantwell, said the festival “will deliver significant economic and social benefits to Limerick and the region”.

“This tournament has the potential to become one of the leading international sevens rugby competitions in the world on an annual basis and to further endorse Limerick and the region as a hotbed of rugby and a centre of sporting excellence.”

Limerick will be divided into Zone A and Zone B over the two nights, with the Northern and Southern teams changing zones so everyone can experience the different international cultures.

Rugby sevens is now recognised as an Olympic sport and will make its debut in the 2016 Summer Olympics. A normal sevens match consists of two-halves of seven minutes with a one-minute half-time break.

Limerick city and county manager Conn Murray said: “We are looking forward to welcoming visitors and guests from all over the country and further afield this year, and for the next four years, and to showcasing everything about our vibrant and welcoming city.”

Daily ticket prices will Tickets are available from Ticketmaster and from all usual outlets, including Thomond Park Stadium.