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One change in Ireland Sevens squad for Clermont
Buccaneers' Josh Rowland replaces the injured Terry Kennedy in the Ireland Men’s Sevens squad for the third stage of the Rugby Europe Grand Prix in Clermont this weekend.
Ireland Sevens are attempting to qualify for both the repechage for the World Rugby World Series in Hong Kong next season, and next summer's Sevens Rugby World Cup in San Francisco.
Ireland finished first on the opening weekend in Moscow, and third on the second weekend in Lodz, Poland. The four-stage Grand Prix ends in Exeter on 15 July.
Ireland are top of the standings in the race for World Cup qualification, tied on 36 points in the overall table with Spain and Russia, but ahead of the other two nations thanks to a superior points difference.
Ireland are also in pole position to be one of the two sides to qualify for the repechage, with Germany holding second space.
Billy Dardis will captain Ireland in Clermont and he is joined by fellow UCD club-mates Hugo Keenan and Harry McNulty, and the Lansdowne trio of Ian Fitzpatrick, John O'Donnell and Mark Roche.
Clontarf's Mick McGrath, Naas winger Fionn Carr and Queen's University and Ulster Academy back rower Nick Timoney, and Buccaneers winger Jordan Conroy who scored seven tries in the opening two rounds, all make their third appearance of the series.
Shannon's Greg O'Shea,who made his debut in Lodz, completes the 12-man panel.
"We've had reasonable success so far over the opening two tournaments, and we're looking to get another good result this weekend in Clermont," IRFU Director of Rugby 7s Anthony Eddy said
"With it being very competitive between ourselves, Russia and Spain, the players know that a good performance this weekend should set us up well for a good finish in the final tournament in Exeter in two weeks' time."
The third stage of the Rugby Europe Grand Prix will be shown live on eirSport 1 in Ireland, with coverage starting on Saturday 1 July [coverage starts at 09:30 Irish time]
Ireland Men's Sevens Squad, Rugby Europe Grand Prix Round Three. Clermont, France.
Fionn Carr (Naas)
Jordan Conroy (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Billy Dardis (UCD) Captain
Ian Fitzpatrick (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster)
Mick McGrath (Clontarf)
Harry McNulty (UCD)
John O'Donnell (Lansdowne)
Greg O'Shea (Shannon/Munster)
Mark Roche (Lansdowne)
Josh Rowland (Buccaneers)
Nick Timoney (Queen's University Belfast/Ulster)
Fixtures – Pool C, 1 July 2017 – Clermont 7s
Ireland v Belgium – 10:28 [Irish time]
Ireland v Italy – 13:13 [Irish time]
Ireland v Wales – 16.20 [Irish time]
Image: Inpho/Donall Farmer
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