Pace key to Sevens success, says Colm McMahon, as Munster take on the world

Colm McMahon, formerly of Shannon and Munster and now coach of the Munster squad in this weekend’s Limerick World Club Sevens at Thomond Park, knows exactly the kind of player he needs to help relieve Fijian side Daveta of the trophy they lifted 12 months ago.

“Guys with pace who can step with good fitness levels,” he stresses. “Your back three are obvious selections but you need playmakers and some forwards as well because, as we saw last year, it’s quite a physical game.”

With this philosophy in mind, McMahon features a mix of academy, sub-academy and club talent in a squad that will be captained by academy player Alex Wootton, one of four Ireland sevens representatives in the group alongside Young Munster’s Diarmuid McCarthy, Lansdowne’s Cian Aherne and Clanwilliam’s Alan Bennie. Following his recent move to Ireland, Malaysian sevens player Murray Linn is also included while the most notable forward involved will be Shannon’s Frank Bradshaw Ryan.