David Nucifora: Sevens success is 'massive for Irish rugby, and massive for Irish sport'

Ireland's Greg O'Shea, Hugo Lennox, Jack Kelly, and Jordan Conroy celebrate qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics. Picture: INPHO/Manuel Blondeau

IRFU performance director David Nucifora has hailed the men’s sevens side’s achievement in qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics and predicted even greater things for the programme long-term.

The Australian has been the driving force behind the Union’s belated embrace of a format that was ignored and unloved until his appointment to his current post on Lansdowne Road so Sunday’s events in Monaco were as significant for him as anyone.