Source: INPHO/Colm O'Neill

Japan and Ireland qualify for World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series

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Japan and Ireland will compete on next season’s HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series after qualifying in Dublin this weekend. Progression to the final of the tournament in UCD Bowl was enough for both sides to ensure they will be core teams on the prestigious series when it kicks off at the end of this year.

Ireland 2

Ireland players celebrate. (Photo: INPHO/Colm O’Neill)

Japan beat the girls in green in a thrilling final with a last minute penalty to clinch the win, 13-12, however Irish eyes were still smiling in Dublin with qualification wrapped up at that stage.

Earlier in the day Brazil won the Plate final after beating Hong Kong and Kenya beat Columbia to win the Bowl final in wet conditions in the Irish capital.

Ireland and Japan will join defending champions New Zealand, Canada, Australia, England, USA, France, Russia, Fiji and Spain on the 2015-16 Series. The Irish were a core team on the series in 2013-14, but for Japan it is the first time they will play in every round.

World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “Congratulations to Japan and Ireland for ensuring their spots on next season’s HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series.

“With the Olympic Games less than one year away, it was great to see the passion and intensity as all sides battled to be on the series. Women’s rugby is one of the fastest growing team sports in the world and the competition among teams is increasing all the time. In the run up to Rio 2016, participation on next season’s series is very important.”

The dates and venues for the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series will be announced in due course.

All of the results from Sunday 23 August 2015 
Match 19 QF Cup – South Africa 21-5 Hong Kong 10.52
Match 20 QF Cup – Ireland 27-5 China 11.14
Match 21 QF Cup – Japan 17-5 Wales 11.36
Match 22 QF Cup – Netherlands 12-10 Brazil 11.58
Match 23 SF Bowl – Kenya 31-0 Mexico 12.2
Match 24  SF Bowl – Colombia12-5 Samoa 12.42
Match 25  SF Plate – Hong Kong 14-10 China 13.36
Match 26 SF Plate – Wales 5-10 Brazil 13.58
Match 27  Cup SF – South Africa 14-26 Ireland 14.2
Match 28 Cup SF –  Japan 10-5 Netherlands 14.42
Match 29 11th Place –  Mexico 0-22 Samoa 15.04
Match 30 Bowl Final – Kenya 5-0 Colombia 15.50
Match 31 7th Place – China 5-29 Wales 16.20
Match 32  Plate Final -Hong Kong 0-17 Brazil 16.42
Match 33  3rd Place – South Africa 12-0 Netherlands 17.12
Match 34 Cup Final –  Ireland 12-13 Japan 17.38