Share

cover art for Were the IRFU right to cut the men’s Sevens?

The Counter Ruck

Were the IRFU right to cut the men’s Sevens?

Nearly a week on from the IRFU’s decision to cut the men’s Sevens programme, Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to debate the merits of the decision.


Gordon, as a former Sevens player, is well placed to offer insight on the merits of Sevens for players moving into 15s. John has covered the Sevens team as extensively as anyone in recent years and he offers his experience as he dwells on the decision.


Do rugby’s financials leave the IRFU with any other choice? Is Sevens simply a luxury which cannot be afforded? Why cut the men’s team but not the women’s?


Does this move place too much faith in Ireland’s academy structures, narrowing an already small talent pool? Was this decision handled in the best way possible?


We'd love to find out what you think of The Counter Ruck podcast and to understand a little more about our listeners. Please take our survey and you'll be entered into a prize draw to win a €100 One4All gift card: https://www.research.net/r/CounterRuckWebApp


Produced by John Casey.


More episodes

View all episodes

  • Ireland pull off one of the great Twickenham days against England

    34:50|
    How many of you saw that coming? A record Irish victory in Twickenham was some way for Andy Farrell and co to change the narrative surrounding this side after a middling start to this year’s Six Nations campaign. Gordon D’Arcy, John O’Sullivan and Nathan Johns were all in London on Saturday and they link up once again to pick through how Ireland pulled off that performance. Plus, we look at how Ireland U20s managed a similarly impressive victory over their English counterparts in Bath on Friday night.Produced by John Casey.
  • How might Ireland pull off a Twickenham upset?

    22:17|
    Ireland’s team for the weekend is out with a big decision made at outhalf. Will the changes improve Ireland’s chances of securing an upset? What of England who have promoted Henry Pollock to the starting XV? Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to preview Saturday’s clash.Produced by John Casey.
  • Did Ireland restore confidence ahead of Twickenham showdown?

    31:24|
    Ireland responded to their disappointment in Paris with a win over Italy. Albeit an unconvincing one. Did new faces in Andy Farrell’s team do enough to change the status selection quo? Did Ireland’s attack start to look like its old self? Does Scotland’s win offer any hope heading to Twickenham? Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to discuss.Produced by John Casey.
  • Do Ireland's rugby pathways need a serious overhaul?

    27:35|
    John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to pick through some big selection decisions made by Andy Farrell ahead of Ireland’s Six Nations clash with Italy. Plus, John also takes his through his vision for how Ireland can bring more players through from U20 level to the senior side.Produced by John Casey.
  • Are wounded Ireland vulnerable to an Italian job?

    23:12|
    Ireland suffer a heavy defeat to France while Italy are on a high following a win over Scotland. Does that make for a potential banana skin for Andy Farrel and Co this weekend? Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to discuss. Plus, we look at some of the wider tactical and skillset deficiencies plaguing Irish rugby. What can be done to stop the rot?Produced by John Casey.
  • How far behind the leading pack are Ireland after defeat against France?

    18:59|
    A difficult night for Ireland saw them lose heavily to France in Paris.Nathan Johns and Gerry Thornley were at the Stade de France to pick through where it all went wrong.Was Ireland’s game plan exposed? What to make of selection or the decision to continually kick away possession? What positives, if any, can be gleamed from a second half fightback?Produced by John Casey.
  • France vs Ireland - Six Nations preview

    31:39|
    Ireland have named their team for Thursday’s Six Nations opener. There are surprises, namely Jacob Stockdale in for James Lowe and Cian Prendergast starting at 6. Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to pick through the key match ups. How will Ireland tactically overcome France’s Parisian challenge?Produced by John Casey.
  • Can rugby take off in America?

    29:10|
    The new head coach of the US team is an Irishman from Skerries. After winning a medal with the Canada Sevens team in Paris, Jack Hanratty has moved to America to coach Ilona Maher and Co. He joins host Nathan Johns to chart his journey from a Leinster development coach to boss of the US. Plus, with World cups heading stateside in 2031 and 2033, Jack gives his take on a question rugby has long sought to answer: can the sport make it in America?Produced by John Casey.
  • Should Irish players have been wrapped in cotton wool ahead of the Six Nations?

    28:58|
    Ireland’s front-row injury crisis plummeted to a further low when Jack Boyle was carted off with an Achilles issue for Leinster against Connacht. Given the absentee list at loosehead, should he - alongside other Ireland Six Nations players - have been wrapped in cotton wool over the weekend? Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to discuss this along with Leinster’s victory over Connacht, Ulster’s defeat away to the Scarlets and Munster getting over the line vs the Dragons.Produced by John Casey.