Tyrrell heads to Japan for World Rugby Women’s Series

HANNAH Tyrrell will be back on international 7s duty for Ireland when the squad heads to Japan for the fourth stage of the World Rugby Women’s Series this weekend.

The Clondalkin competitor has been an intrinsic part of the Irish Sevens panel as well as playing her part in the national 15s side’s second place finish in the Women’s Six Nations.

Indeed she scored crucial tries for the latter in games against Italy and Wales and will be hoping to make an equally telling impact for the Sevens in Kitakyushu.

Tyrrell is part of a 13-strong panel that will take on Fiji in their opening game of Pool B, before facing off against Australia and then Brazil.

All four of these teams were drawn in the same pool at the Sydney 7s, in which Ireland carded wins against both Fiji and Brazil.

Looking ahead to their latest challenge, Ireland Director of Women’s and Sevens Rugby, Anthony Eddy said “We have an experienced side travelling to Japan for the fourth stage of the World Sevens Series.

“We have managed to make the quarter finals in the last two tournaments, so that will be a target for us again in Japan.

“The players have worked extremely hard and have shown good improvement all year, so I am sure they are looking forward to the Japan tournament to build on their performances.

It will be a challenge however, as we face the ever-improving Brazil, Fiji, who we are very familiar with having met them regularly throughout the series and Australia, who are the reigning Series holders as well as Olympic Gold medallists, but it’s a challenge the players are excited about and looking forward to” he insisted.