Global Partners
Global Partners
label.rwc7s2022.logo-alt-text label.rwc7s2022.logo-alt-text label.rwc7s2022.logo-alt-text
Listen Live
  • Get Tickets
  • Teams & Qualifying
  • Video
  • News
  • Get Tickets
  • Teams & Qualifying
  • Video
  • News
  • Venue
  • Newsletter
  • FAQ Tickets
  • About RWC Sevens
  • Media
  • Contact Us
World Rugby
Website language
English
  • English
  • Français
  • Español
  • 日本語
Website language
English
  • English
  • Français
  • Español
  • 日本語
  • About RWC Sevens
  • Media
  • Contact Us
Latest News
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Three
1 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Island Tribe to keep fans protected as the sun shines on Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Island Tribe has been appointed as an Official Supplier of Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 in Cape Town, as momentum continues towards the biggest showcase of the sevens game on the planet.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Thu 23 June, 2022
1 min read
World Rugby logo - one to use for generic releases
1 min read

RWC Sevens 2022

Match officials selected for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 in South Africa

World Rugby has announced the selection of match officials for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022, which takes place in Cape Town, South Africa, from 9-11 September.

RWC Sevens 2022

Fri 10 June, 2022
1 min read
HSBC France Sevens 2022 Women's
3 min read

RWC Sevens 2022

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: 100 days to go

As the countdown to RWC Sevens 2022 heads into the final 100 days, we give you the lowdown on the showpiece tournament to get you excited for kick-off in Cape Town.

RWC Sevens 2022

Wed 1 June, 2022
3 min read
Andy Vilk, head coach of Italy men's sevens
4 min read

RWC Sevens 2022 qualifying

Italy men’s sevens team seeks return to the big stage

The European men's qualification tournament for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 is on the horizon with the prize of four tickets to Cape Town, South Africa at stake in July.

RWC Sevens 2022 qualifying

Thu 19 May, 2022
4 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Black Ferns Sevens renew riveting rivalry with Australia on HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia wrapped up the 2022 Series title in Langford, but the Black Ferns Sevens left Canada with plenty to celebrate as they begin a busy period.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 3 May, 2022
4 min read
2018 Highlights
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
08:29 mins

Highlights: New Zealand win big in San Francisco

New Zealand retained their Rugby World Cup Sevens title in San Francisco
Mon 23 July, 2018
08:29 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
07:03 mins

Highlights: New Zealand women's win Rugby World Cup Sevens

Check out all the top action as New Zealand win The Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco
Sun 22 July, 2018
07:03 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Two
06:30 mins

HIGHLIGHTS: Men's semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day two

Men's semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day two of action at Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 #RWC7s
Sun 22 July, 2018
06:30 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day One
06:51 mins

Highlights: Men's quarter-finals decided

Men's quarter-finals of Rugby World Cup Sevens decided after incredible first day at AT&T Park
Sat 21 July, 2018
06:51 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
06:26 mins

Highlights: Women's semi-finals confirmed at Rugby World Cup Sevens

Championship semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day one of action
Sat 21 July, 2018
06:26 mins
RWC 2021 qualification
Wednesday 08 September, 2021
5 min read

Stacey Flood: Rugby World Cup 2021 qualification “is massively important” to Ireland

The sevens convert hopes to appear in next year’s 15s showpiece after a successful transition from the shorter format of the game.
  • label.share.via_facebook_messenger
  • label.share.via_whatsapp
  • label.share.via_facebook
  • label.share.via_twitter
  • label.share.via_copy
    URL Copied

Stacey Flood watched from afar as hosts Ireland failed to make the kind of impact on the field that they would have liked at the last Rugby World Cup in 2017 in finishing eighth out of 12.

Not only was the Dubliner not involved in 15s at the time, but she also couldn’t have been further away from the tournament despite it being played on her doorstep.

“I watched every single game from that World Cup. At the time I was actually in Australia playing on the Aon Sevens Series for Bond University so I was up in the middle of the night,” she recalls.

Flood continued competing in sevens, including at Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 in San Francisco, until the COVID-19 pandemic brought a halt to the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

That led to the 25-year-old and a number of other sevens players trying their hand at 15s.

Flood, who has a GAA background, first trained with the 15s squad last October and already finds herself as one of the fulcrum’s of Ireland’s bid to qualify for Rugby World Cup 2021 in New Zealand.

Instead of watching the tournament on the other side of the world, Flood hopes to be in the thick of the action. But first Ireland need to get there.

#ShoulderToShoulder

📋 ICYMI: The Ireland squad, captained by @griffinciara94, has been named for the upcoming #RWC2021Qualifier in Parma 🟢👇#NothingLikeIt #ShoulderToShoulder

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) September 7, 2021

Big strides

Adam Griggs’ side are one of four teams taking part in the RWC 2021 Europe Qualifier that begins in Parma, Italy on Monday.

The round-robin tournament also involves Women’s Six Nations rivals, Italy and Scotland, as well as Ireland’s opening round opponents Spain.

Whoever finishes top of the table will book their place in Pool B alongside Canada and USA at next year’s tournament with the runner-up having to take their chance in the Final Qualification Tournament.

Having beaten both Italy and Scotland on their way to finishing third in the most recent edition of the Women’s Six Nations, Ireland will arguably go to Parma as favourites to claim the Europe 1 ticket.

“It is massively important,” Flood says of qualification.

“The women’s game has taken such big strides in the last few years and all the teams are getting better and people are moving forward and we don’t want to be left behind and I don’t think we will be left behind.

“I think the team have really put in the work in the last few weeks, building on the Six Nations.

“This is the tournament we have been looking forward to for the last 18 months, because it was postponed from last year, and we have always kept one eye on the prize and what boxes we need to tick to get there.

“I have full faith in the whole squad, the training squad, the wider squad and the management, that we have done enough and hopefully we can take home that prize and be on that plane next year.”

#ShoulderToShoulder

🗣️ "This has been our goal for the last 18 months, to qualify for the Rugby World Cup" 👊🟢

Hear more from Ireland captain @griffinciara94 ahead of the #RWC2021Qualifier 👇#NothingLikeIt #IrishRugby pic.twitter.com/YnWQgm7AZw

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) September 7, 2021

Seamless transition

Flood is only five months into her test career, having made her debut in April. Not that you would know it.

Looking every bit at ease in the green jersey as her 10-times capped elder  sister Kim once did at full-back, Flood followed up a couple of appearances off the bench in the Women’s Six Nations with a Player of the Match performance against Italy.

Modestly, Flood says she is just happy to be a facilitator for the team.

“For me, I feel like if the team is going well, that is all that kind of matters. I wasn’t fully satisfied with my individual performance,” she says.

“When I was talking to family and friends afterwards, I said ‘I don’t think I really deserved it’.

“My player of the game was (hooker) Cliodhna Moloney, she had an outstanding defensive game and she got her try as well so I was not expecting that whatsoever.”

The award could also have easily gone to another of the sevens newcomers, Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, who marked her first start on the wing with a couple of tries.

“That is nothing to her, she knows her way to the try line, that girl. She is such a spark in the team and is one of those players who can change a game,” Flood says of her jet-heeled teammate.

Flood and Murphy Crowe will be joined by their sevens captain, Lucy Mulhall, in flying to Parma for the Europe Qualifier.

Mulhall is one of three uncapped players in the squad but Flood says she has taken to 15s “like a duck to water.”

Over and out☘️ thank you everyone for the amazing support during the 6 Nations💚 #NeverSettle #WomensSixNations #IrishRugby pic.twitter.com/N19pa5NMcr

— StaceyFlood (@StaceyFlood) April 26, 2021

Bossing the game

While most sevens converts play on the wing in 15s, Flood is more than happy to be directing affairs at 10.

“I kind of always knew I wanted to be a 10 and I felt my skillset was for that position. I kind of like bossing people around and passing is my favourite skill.

“It’s hard because you have to learn the tactical element of 15s and knowing where your back field is, knowing what you want to play and where on the field.

“Coming from sevens, I have played it for so many years and it is kind of my first love, and then transitioning over to 15s, it’s like a completely different game. I actually think they are two separate sports.

“But I have had so much support from all the girls and the coaches, and they have helped me so much to understand.

“Kim (her sister) gives me so much advice and is so helpful. She says play your own game and don’t worry about this that and the other. I turn to her a lot, for anything.”

Ireland fly out to Parma on Friday as they prepare for a tension-filled 12 days. Despite the magnitude of the prize at stake, Ireland will be able to count on a cool head in Flood.

“There’s nothing like a bit of pressure, I just love it,” she says. “If you embrace it, the feeling if it comes off and you do what you need to do, is such a good feeling, and to do it with a bunch of girls who are all fighting for the same thing, you wouldn’t get that from anything else.”

Family matters

Emotions will certainly be running high by the time Ireland get to their last game against Scotland on 25 September.

What will make it all the more special for Flood is that her parents will be there in person.

“Hopefully my mam and dad and sisters (she has three) are going to come to the last game, they’ve never seen me play 15s before.

“The last time my mam saw me play was at the Sevens World Cup in San Francisco and I think the last time my dad saw me play was in 2016.

“It will be so weird to have people there watching because it is not something that normally happens for us, because sevens tournaments are always over the world and my dad doesn’t really like flying and it is hard to get time off work. Because it is in Italy, they can cope with that.”

Expect a flood of tears if qualification is sealed.

Read more: Spain ready for date with destiny in Rugby World Cup 2021 Europe Qualifier >> 

Trending News Show all
RWC 1995: trophy presentation
2 min read

RWC Sevens 2022

Francois Pienaar can’t wait for Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town

The former Springbok captain, who lifted the Webb Ellis Cup with South Africa at RWC 1995, is looking forward to welcoming the world's best sevens players to Cape Town in September.

RWC Sevens 2022

Fri 24 June, 2022
2 min read
Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
2 min read

Olympic Games

Olympic Day: Countdown to Paris 2024 already under way

On the day that the world gets moving, World Rugby looks at the qualification pathway for the men’s and women’s sevens tournaments at the next Olympic Games.

Olympic Games

Thu 23 June, 2022
2 min read
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Three
1 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Island Tribe to keep fans protected as the sun shines on Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Island Tribe has been appointed as an Official Supplier of Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 in Cape Town, as momentum continues towards the biggest showcase of the sevens game on the planet.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Thu 23 June, 2022
1 min read
HSBC Rugby Sevens Hong Kong - Day 3
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Seven magnificent moments from the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens

Whet your appetite as the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series prepares to return to Hong Kong for the first time in more than three years this November.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Wed 22 June, 2022
4 min read
2022 - Brazil win Sudamérica Rugby 7s
2 min read

REGIONAL FOCUS: SOUTH AMERICA

As Yaras continue to dominate in South America

In winning their 20th consecutive Sudamérica Rugby Sevens tournament, Brazil continues to top the regional tables.

REGIONAL FOCUS: SOUTH AMERICA

Thu 16 June, 2022
2 min read
Australia v Fiji 2021 PacificAus Sports Oceania Sevens
2 min read

Oceania Rugby

Oceania Rugby seeks to provide “best preparation possible” for showpiece tournaments through regional competitions

Two regional tournaments will take place in Auckland in June and July to help teams prepare for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022, the Commonwealth Games 2022 and Rugby World Cup 2021.

Oceania Rugby

Thu 9 June, 2022
2 min read
Rob Vickerman Karl Tenana
3 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Rob Vickerman: Olympic qualification means “every second counts” in new World Series format

The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series commentator is already relishing what 2023 has to offer after a new blockbuster schedule was revealed on Tuesday, 31 May.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Thu 2 June, 2022
3 min read
HSBC France Sevens 2022 Women's
3 min read

RWC Sevens 2022

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: 100 days to go

As the countdown to RWC Sevens 2022 heads into the final 100 days, we give you the lowdown on the showpiece tournament to get you excited for kick-off in Cape Town.

RWC Sevens 2022

Wed 1 June, 2022
3 min read
16x9 Graphic
5 min read

Rugby Sevens

Olympic qualification at stake as bumper HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023 schedule announced

A blockbuster schedule for the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023 has been announced today with a full roster of teams and hosts as the dynamic, high octane Olympic sport continues to grow, evolve and engage new fans around the globe

Rugby Sevens

Tue 31 May, 2022
5 min read
HSBC London Sevens 2022
2 min read

HSBC Sevens Series

“I couldn’t be prouder” – Nick Malouf on Australia’s historic win in HSBC London Sevens

One of the most exciting men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series title races in recent memory will go right down to the wire when the competition concludes in Los Angeles at the end of August.

HSBC Sevens Series

Mon 30 May, 2022
2 min read
Global Partners
label.rwc7s2022.logo-alt-text
  • Rugby World Cup Limited © 2007 - 2022. All Rights Reserved.
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Cookies Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Rugby World Cup Sevens
  • World Rugby Media Zone
Website language
English
  • English
  • Français
  • Español
  • 日本語