 Ballymena's Michael McComish has experience at this level |
Ian Humphreys leads Ireland's 12-man squad in the IRB World Sevens tournament in Hong Kong from 18-20 March. Humphreys, at the centre of conjecture about a move to England next season, is one of three Ulster players ready to step into the firing line.
Along with Ballymena duo Andy Maxwell and the experienced Michael McComish, the Irish expect a torrid time.
Ireland are in the same pool as New Zealand, Scotland, Tonga, US and Korea.
However, coach Ryan Constable is confident that his inexperienced side can step up a level.
"It is a very inexperienced side, without much tradition in Ireland of sevens rugby," said Constable.
"We just want to build on what we have done in the three European World Cup qualifiers and the two IRB circuits."
Ireland Sevens squad: I Humphreys (Belfast Harlequins, capt), K Croke (UCD), D Hewitt (Clontarf), M McComish (Ballymena), A Maxwell (Ballymena), M McPhail ( UL/Bohs), J Norton (UCD), B O'Connor, T O'Leary (Dolphin), N Ronan (Lansdowne), M Bruce (Loughborough), B Tuohy (Shannon); manager: George Spotswood.
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 