Three defeats see Ireland Bowl-bound

Ireland ran Sevens heavyweights Australia and England close at the IRB South Africa tournament today in George, but a final Pool loss to Kenya sees them bound for the Bowl quarter finals.

Ryan Constable's side will face European number ones Portugal tomorrow morning (7.45am, Irish time), having finished bottom of Pool B, at Outeniqua Park.

The Wallabies had to rely on a late Anthony Sauer try to edge out the young Irish 26-22 this morning.

Dolphin scrum-half Tomas O'Leary was in devastating form bagging two tries, with Belfast Harlequins fly-half Ian Humphreys and Niall O'Brien of Clontarf - a replacement for Connacht's Chris Keane - also on target.

Last year's champions England continued their strong form from Dubai, scoring five tries, including a brace from Newcastle Falcons' teenager Matthew Tait, to Ireland's three in their 31-19 win.

Humphreys, who ended the day on 20 points, and Leinster pairing James Norton and Dave Hewitt, exposed the English rearguard for Ireland's scores.

Twenty-three-year-old Norton grabbed his second against Kenya, but the Africans claimed their second win in the space of a week against the Irish - winning 21-14, with Ballymena's Michael McComish tagging on a late, second try for Constable's side.

Despite the trio of defeats, Durban-born Constable was pleased with the Irish effort shown.

"I saw a lot more progression out there from the players. They raised their games against some of the outstanding Sevens teams of the last six or seven years," said the former Ulster centre.

"This week's training camp has allowed us more time to gel, and I was pleased with how we performed, and we took our tries well.

"We're playing catch up on the others, but hopefully we can round off this trip with a good effort in the Bowl competition," Constable added.

Results:

IRB South Africa Sevens, George - Pool B:

Australia 26 IRELAND 22

Scorers: Ireland: Tomas O'Leary 2 tries, Ian Humphreys try, con; Niall O'Brien try

England 31 IRELAND 19

Scorers: Ireland: Ian Humphreys try, 2 cons; Dave Hewitt, James Norton try each

IRELAND 14 Kenya 21

Scorers: Ireland: James Norton, Michael McComish try each; Ian Humphreys 2 cons