Russia and Ireland have added their names to the list of confirmed men’s teams for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 after successfully coming through the European qualification process.
A 17-12 victory over Wales in the final of the Exeter Sevens tournament saw Russia claim the overall Rugby Europe Sevens Grand Prix Series title, while Ireland finished runners-up and secured the second qualification spot after taking the bronze medal at Sandy Park.
Russia and Ireland knew they had done enough to make it to San Francisco once their only qualification rivals Spain had lost 21-14 to neighbours Portugal in the Cup quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, prized wins over hosts England and Spain made it a memorable tournament for Germany who booked their place alongside Ireland at the World Rugby Sevens Series 2018-19 qualifier in Hong Kong next year as one of the two best-ranked non-core teams.
Russia overcame a surprise loss to Georgia to top Pool B and set up a rematch in the Cup quarter-finals. This time there was no mistake as two tries from RWC 2011 veteran Denis Simplikevich and one from Roman Roshchin helped them to a 19-5 victory. Determined to join their female counterparts at RWC Sevens 2018, Ireland’s men romped through the pool stages with victories over Portugal, Belgium and France to top Pool A. After conceding the first points to an Alex Davis try in the Cup quarter-finals, Ireland put 24 unanswered points on hosts England.
Spain, who started the final round of the series just two points off the qualification places, also went through their pool with an unblemished record to set up a last-eight clash with Portugal, which is where their interest ended. Plate defeats to Georgia and Germany made for a disappointing end to the series for Los Leones Sevens.
