Irish Rugby

Ireland's hopes of a first Olympic medal in rugby sevens are over following a 19-15 defeat to Fiji in the quarter-finals at the Stade de France.

James Topping's side had led the back-to-back gold medallists by 15-7 in the second half but would let slip their second two-score advantage of the day after an earlier pool-stage defeat to New Zealand.

In what was Ireland's first quarter-final at this level, Fiji had the game's first score within the first minute of the contest.

Iosefo Baleiwairiki fended off the tackle of Niall Comerford to make the key break and finished off the try despite a spirited chase from Chay Mullins.

It was Mullins who would drag Ireland back into the game, scoring a double before half-time to put his side ahead at the break despite both tries going unconverted.

His second felt especially timely, coming just before the interval and from an attack where Ireland had looked to be drifting towards the touchline before Mullins took on Gavin Mullin's pass and burst through the tackle to score.

In the second half, Zac Ward, who has been in excellent form in Paris, put Ireland eight points ahead with an opportunistic finish down the blindside of a ruck after his own strong carry had advanced his side to within a metre of the whitewash.

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But the same missed tackles that plagued Ireland against New Zealand earlier on Thursday started to creep back into their game and Selestino Ravutaumada shrugged off defenders too easily before sending Waisea Nacuqu over for the try to bring Fiji back into things.

When Ireland made a mess of the restart, after 15s star Hugo Keenan was caught underneath the high ball, Terio Tamani capitalised for what proved to be the winning score.

Fijian indiscipline would allow Ireland a last opportunity to snatch victory but, into the fourth minute of added time, a knock-on would end their challenge and medal ambitions.

Image source, Inpho

Ireland advanced to the quarter-finals of the Olympic Rugby Sevens with a pair of wins on the opening day of the tournament.

James Topping's squad were the first representatives in action at the 2024 Games for Team Ireland and booked their spot in the the knock-outs with a game to spare thanks to victories over South Africa and Japan.

After finishing 10th at the delayed Tokyo Games three years ago, Ireland ran in eight tries across Wednesday's play, beating South Africa 10-5 before crossing for six scores to get the better of Japan by a score of 40-5.

Ireland will now face New Zealand in their final pool game at 15:30 BST on Thursday before the knock-outs begin in the evening session.

After the earlier victory against South Africa, Topping had the luxury of rotating his panel for the game against Japan, ensuring all 12 squad members had featured come the final whistle of the 40-5 victory.

Terry Kennedy was the star of the first half against the Brave Blossoms, following up his earlier try against South Africa by scoring the opener in the game's first minute.

He would then create the second from well inside his own territory, breaking from deep after a period of Japanese pressure and unselfishly switching the ball inside to Chay Mullins for the score just before half-time.

Early in the second half, Harry McNulty's intercept try put Ireland in a comfortable position and Topping turned to his bench to see out the win.

Among the replacements were Leinster full-back Hugo Keenan, but it was his fellow substitute Niall Comerford who was next across the whitewash, scoring after McNulty had found his run back against the grain.

Mullins would get his second of the night as Ireland attacked straight from the restart, although Japan responded through Shotaru Tsuoka.

Bryn Ward would ensure Ireland had the final say however, the replacement using a huge fend to create the space for his try in the closing moments.

In their earlier victory over the Blitzboks, Jordan Conroy's try with the final play of the first half had given Ireland a 5-0 lead at the break.

Kennedy scored a second try with two minutes remaining but South Africa set up a grandstand finish when Shelvyn Davids squeezed over the line with 30 seconds left.

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Former Ulster and Ireland wing Craig Gilroy believes the northern province are in for an "exciting season" with 23-year-old fly-half Aidan Morgan among their new signings.

Billy Burns, who has been Ulster's first-choice number ten since arriving from Gloucester in 2018, joined Munster in the off-season with Morgan subsequently arriving at Kingspan Stadium from the Hurricanes.

"I'm excited to see what he brings," Gilroy told BBC Sport NI.

"He seems to be a real natural out-half.

"I was a really big fan of Billy Burns and I was sad to see Billy leaving. I think Munster are lucky to have him."

In a tumultuous campaign last season, Ulster finished sixth in the URC and were knocked out of the play-offs by Leinster at the quarter-final stage.

But, after head coach Richie Murphy arrived in March following the sacking of Dan McFarland, performances were improving as the year wore on.

"I've got full faith in Richie Murphy. I think he's a brilliant appointment," added Gilroy. "I think he'll take the guys forward.

"A few new signings in key positions, it's going to be an exciting season."

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Ulster Rugby have announced that forwards coach Roddy Grant has left his position "by mutual agreement".

Grant spent five years in the role with the Irish province.

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy said: "Roddy has given a lot to the club over the last five years and we would like to thank him for all his hard work that is set to stand by us as a squad in the seasons ahead.

"From a personal perspective, I really enjoyed working together at the end of last season. Roddy is a coach that gives it his all, and I know how much maintaining the highest standards means to him."

Grant commented: "I'm extremely proud of our work as forwards over the past five years".

"I feel that I leave with the pack in a better place than when I arrived, with the guys having built a very strong reputation as a forward pack.

"I gave it my all, and I went all in. Thankyou to all the players who gave everything and went all in for me too," added the Botswana-born former professional player.

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Former France international front row Rabah Slimani has signed for Irish province Leinster.

The 34-year-old prop won the last of 57 caps for France in 2019, having made his debut for Les Bleus off the bench against New Zealand in 2013.

Slimani has played almost 300 games in the Top 14 with Stade Francais and most recently Clermont Auvergne.

"I'd like to thank Leo and Leinster Rugby for the opportunity to come and join a club with a massive history and a proven record of competing at the very top end of URC and European rugby," Slimani told the Leinster Rugby website.

“I am very excited to also experience a new country and a new city to live and to play my rugby and it is one that my family and I are looking forward to."

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen said the signing of Slimani represented "a great addition to the group, not only providing competition for the first team but also helping some of our young front row players learn and develop".

"He is a player we have long admired with vast experience at the highest level of Top 14, European and international rugby," added Cullen of the two-time Challenge Cup winner with Stade.

Slimani joins RG Snyman and Jordie Barrett as new Leinster recruits ahead of next season.

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Ulster will start their Investec Champions Cup campaign with a trip to France to take on holders Toulouse on 8 December.

The game at Stade Ernest Wallon (15:15 GMT) is the first of four pool matches for the Irish province.

Ulster face French opposition again six days later with an encounter against Bordeaux Begles at Kingspan Stadium (15:15).

Richie Murphy's side finish against two English teams, starting with Leinster Tigers at Welford Road on 11 January (20:00).

It's back to Belfast for the final fixture against Exeter Chiefs on 17 January with another 20:00 kick-off.

Six-time winners Toulouse defeated Leinster in a thrilling final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in May.

They played Ulster at the pool stage in January and came out with a 48-24 away win.

Next year's final will be played at the Principality Stadium on 24 May.