Ireland has received invitations to take part in the opening rounds of the IRB International Sevens Series, of which the Dubai Sevens is one of the tournaments. Ireland will be using the series as part of their preparation for the RWC in March next year.

A squad of 12 players will depart for Dubai on November 28th, for the tournament which takes place on December 2nd and 3rd. They will then travel on directly to George in South Africa and train for almost a week before taking part in the second tournament in the series.

The following players and management have been selected to represent Ireland in the Dubai Sevens Tournament as part of the IRB International Sevens Series on 2nd 3rd December 2004:

Gary Brown (Ulster Belfast Harlequins) Mark Bruce (Loughborough University) John Hearty (Leinster Blackrock College) David Hewitt (Leinster Clontarf) Ian Humphreys (Belfast Harlequins) Christopher Keane (Connacht - Buccaneers) Seamus Mallon (Ulster Dungannon) Michael McComish (Ballymena) Martin McPhail (Munster - U.L. Bohemians) James Norton (Leinster - UCD) Tomas O Leary (Dolphin) Niall Ronan (Leinster Lansdowne)

Coach: Ryan Constable Manager: George Spotswood Physiotherapist: Ailbe McCormack