With the news that France's Anotine Dupont is seriously considering a move to rugby sevens - in the hope of fulfilling his Olympic dream at the Paris games in 2024 - we have had a go at selecting an Ireland sevens team from players who are 15-a-side regulars.
Garry Ringrose
He already has a Champions Cup to his name, multiple Grand Slams, and most importantly a Leinster Schools Senior Cup. After adding a World Cup to his trophy cabinet in October, there will be nothing left to add but an Olympic gold with the sevens team at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Ringrose would offer the complete package as a sevens player; pace, agility, carrying, play-making, and defensive leadership.
Form-wise, the Leinster and Ireland centre has just enjoyed the best season of his career, and he would be the captain and lynchpin of our hypothetical side.
"If Garry Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw were off playing Sevens, the Irish rugby public wouldn't stand for it."
"For David Nucifora to suggest that Sevens would be the game to grow women's rugby in Ireland, without a tournament in Ireland, doesn't make sense." pic.twitter.com/ATFAmwTRQh— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) April 29, 2023
Dan Sheehan
This is an unconventional selection given Sheehan's 17 stone plus frame.
However, he has shown that he carries this size with ease and guile, and has the pace to cut it in the shortened version of the oval game.
He would add a different dimension to the side and allow them to play route one rugby off first phase or slow ball, making easy yards, sucking in multiple defenders, and creating space for the finishers.
Mack Hansen
Hansen showed against Scotland during this year's Six Nations that he too possesses an all-round game, along with his more obvious 'winger' attibrutes.
A good offloader as well, who plays with flair and abandon, and would flourish at sevens.
5 May 2023; Irish rugby ; Mack Hansen of Connacht after his side's victory in the United Rugby Championship Quarter-Final match between Ulster and Connacht at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Jack Crowley
There is an argument that Ringrose or Keenan could inhabit the 'playmaker' role in the side, leaving space for another winger or big centre from the 15-a-side game.
However, we feel that Crowley's elite passing would provide Ireland with another point of difference over other teams.
Too often you see sevens plays slowed down ever so slightly by passes that are behind a player, or spend too much time in the air.
Crowley would relish the opportunity to zip flat passes in front of the defence, putting his teammates into space and in for tries.
Not to mention he has a fine step himself and impressive pace for an out-half, and, as we saw this season, he has a decent drop-kick on him as well.
Jack Crowley has had a quite breakthrough season.
First Ireland cap, that drop goal, and URC Champion!
To see more of his 22/23 highlights, click the link here: https://t.co/ocXjAMlrcK pic.twitter.com/xrsteo0QF0— Andrew Forde (@andrewfrugby) June 28, 2023
Robert Baloucoune
The Ulster winger has previously been involved with the Ireland sevens team, and played at the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens alongside Hugo Keenan and Jimmy O'Brien.
The quickest man in our team and would be eyeing up the top try scorer award in Paris.
NEW VIDEO: Robert Baloucoune is an absolute baller! The Ulster winger has been on fantastic form the last few years so I've clipped up his best bits.
Full Video: https://t.co/Mr4vBba12O pic.twitter.com/XBEzezKOik— Andrew Forde (@andrewfrugby) August 3, 2022
Jordan Larmour
He has struggled form at times over the past few seasons, ultimately costing him a place in Ireland's World Cup warm-up squad.
However, one part of his game that has always remained true and intact is his side stepping.
With the space afforded on a sevens pitch, he would be winning those one-on-one match-ups with ease.
James Lowe
Lowe has the size to pack down in the three man sevens scrum alongside Sheehan and Ringrose, while is offloading would make Ireland look more akin to Fiji at times.
His highlight reel would be vast in the sevens game, and his trademark smile even wider.
11 February 2023; Irish rugby ; James Lowe of Ireland during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and France at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Replacements:
Ryan Baird - Another outside-the-box selection, but his immense size could be a game changer off the bench for the final few minutes of a match.
Robbie Henshaw - Another weapon off the bench, with size, speed, and huge defensive work rate.
Jacob Stockdale - If his form returns to anywhere near his 2018 play - where he often made the 15-a-side game look like sevens - then he would be a shoe-in to start.
Keith Earls - One last hurrah for Earlsy, who, along with his obvious finishing ability, would provide invaluable leadership to the squad.
Hugo Keenan - Another veteran of the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens, Keenan would add further experience and pace off the bench.
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