Ireland Sevens Finish Fourth In Biarritz

17th November 2014 By Munster Rugby

The Ireland Women’s Sevens team finished fourth in Biarritz over the weekend after encouraging wins over Spain and Wales.

The competition was seen as a warm-up tournament on the road to Olympic qualification next year. A number of the World Series teams brought strong panels with them and Ireland faced a tough group.

Jon Skurr's side started the day brightly with a 33 – 7 win over Wales.

Ireland came up against a strong England side in their second game and were beaten by 24 – 5. Next up was World Series team Spain and a thrilling victory ensued with Ireland running out winners by 17 – 7.

This earned the girls in green a shot at the 3rd/4th place play-off where they came up against England again. The final score of 38 – 7 belied an excellent performance from the Irish squad as they continue their development.

Speaking after the tournament, Skurr said: "We are satisfied with the majority of performances during the weekend. We started strongly and comfortably beat a Welsh team that had beaten us at the Euros.

"The two England games showed that we can compete with the best, we just fell away in the second halves. This will improve as the girls get more and more game time.

"The Spain performance showed the commitment and desire that we expect from the girls and showed how far we have come.

"We are heading in the right direction but need too continue to push ourselves to improve," Skurr added.

The side will next be in action at the Dubai International Invitation Women's Sevens Tournament in just under three weeks.

Ireland Sevens Squad, France Women's Sevens Tournament, Biarritz. Saturday 15th November 2014
Siobhán Barrett (Tralee/Munster)
Ashleigh Baxter (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
Nicole Cronin (Shannon/Munster)
Katie Fitzhenry (Blackrock/Leinster)
Shannon Houston (Blacxkrock/Leinster) (Captain)
Claire Keohane (UL Bohemian/Munster)
Martina McCarthy (St. Mary's/Talent ID Programme)
Lucy Mulhall (Talent ID Programme)
Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Elaine Ryan (Talent ID Programme)
Hannah Tyrrell (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Lauralee Walsh (Talent ID Programme)

Ireland Pool Results
Ireland 33 – 7 Wales
Ireland 5 – 24 England Chariot
Ireland 17 – 7 Spain