Rugby sevens given reality check as Ireland disbands its men's team
The World Rugby Sevens Series has received a blow with news that the Irish union has decided to discontinue its men's programme at the end of this season.
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The decision followed a review after last year's Olympics, and was 'part of a broader strategic effort to ensure long-term financial sustainability and focus on key initiatives', the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) said.
It came after the release last November of its financial results, which showed an €18 million (US$20.2 million) deficit for the 2023-24 season.
The union said it had found that the men's sevens programme did not contribute as a development pathway for the 15-a-side game, with current academy structures in the provinces offering greater opportunities on that front.
However, the IRFU confirmed that the women's sevens programme would remain in place as a development pathway for the women's 15s team.
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Earlier this month, global governing body World Rugby announced plans to slash the number of teams in the elite sevens series to just eight, from 12 previously and from 16 before that. Its plans also included the creation of a second and third division.
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