IRFU gives go ahead to sevens programme

They are more than a little late to the party, but, after years of resistance from within, the IRFU has decided to introduce a men’s rugby sevens programme.

The move is the first significant act by the governing body’s new performance director, David Nucifora, who joined the IRFU from a similar role in Australia on a five-year contract last April, and announced the decision at the Aviva Stadium.

The move comes too late to realistically expect an Irish men’s team to qualify for the 2016 Olympics, when rugby sevens is introduced into the Summer Games schedule for the first time alongside golf. The programme will mean starting out at the lowest rung of the international sevens hierarchy but Nucifora is hopeful the foundation of a men’s programme will benefit participation numbers in Ireland and also offer a new pathway to the 15-player code with an increased skill set.