Director of Sevens and Women’s Rugby, Anthony Eddy has named the Ireland Women’s Sevens squad to compete in the Women’s Global Olympic Qualifying Tournament in UCD this weekend.

The side, captained by Lucy Mulhall, is made up predominately of players who have competed on the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series this season.

Backs Mulhall, Aoife Doyle, Louise Galvin, Stacey Flood, Alison Miller and Amee Leigh Murphy-Crowe were all involved at stages across the series, as were forwards Ashleigh Baxter, Kim Flood, Audrey O’Flynn and Megan Williams.

Nicole Cronin, who returned from injury to take part in the Rugby Europe Grand Prix in Kazan this month, is joined by Ireland 15s captain Niamh Briggs who will win her second Sevens cap, having made her Sevens debut in Kazan.

Ireland have been drawn in Pool C with China, Portugal and Trinidad & Tobago.

There are two prizes at stake for the Irish side, as not only will they be vying to win Olympic qualification, they are also seeking to maintain their place as a core team on the World Series.

Top-seeds Russia and Spain have already secured their places for the Women’s Sevens Series 2016-17 and the team that finishes top, exclusive of those two will join them on the series next season.

Speaking ahead of the squad moving into UCD for the tournament, Anthony Eddy said:

“The tournament this weekend is something we’ve been building towards all season. With both Olympic Qualification and a place as a core team on next season’s World Series, we are very much aware of what is at stake.

“The players have gained great experience from being on the World Series this year and understand what is required from them in UCD this weekend so they are looking forward to competing in front of a home crowd and hopefully we can get a good result.”

Ireland’s first game on Saturday is against Trinidad & Tobago at 12.34pm, they will then face Portugal at 3.40pm and play China in their final Pool C game at 6.48pm.

Tickets for the tournament are available here.

Ireland Women’s squad for Women’s Sevens Olympic Repechage, UCD

Ashleigh Baxter – Belfast Harlequins / Ulster
Niamh Briggs – UL Bohemians / Munster
Nicole Cronin – Shannon / Munster
Aoife Doyle – Shannon / Munster
Louise Galvin – UL Bohemians / Munster
Kim Flood – Railway Union / Leinster
Stacey Flood – Railway Union / Leinster
Alison Miller – Portlaoise / Connacht
Lucy Mulhall – Rathdrum / Leinster – Captain
Amee Leigh Murphy-Crowe – Railway Union / Munster
Audrey O’Flynn – Talent ID Programme
Megan Williams – St.Mary’s College RFC
  
Match Schedule for Women’s Global Olympic Qualifying Tournament

Saturday, 25th June 2016
Ireland v Trinidad & Tobago – 12.34pm
Ireland v Portugal – 3.40pm
Ireland v China – 6.46pm
 
Sunday 26th June 2016
Play-Offs

Matches will be streamed via worldrugby.org.

Match updates will be available via the Irish Rugby Twitter account.