With two games down for Ireland, the 2019 London Sevens has been a tournament of mixed fortunes thus for the men in green.
After a major statement at the 2018 event, beating hosts England to the bronze medal, Ireland kicked off their 2019 tournament in similar fashion. A late Mick McGrath try saw Ireland clinch a narrow 21-17 victory against their old foes at Twickenham.
The joy, however, was short-lived as the men in green came undone by an indomitable All Blacks side in their second encounter of the day.
The men up from the Southern Hemisphere were rampant throughout, eventually cruising to a 34-7 win after beating Scotland earlier in the day 21-7.
.@irishrugby beat @englandrugby in their first pool match at the #London7s
ENG 17-21 IRE pic.twitter.com/b7fq1kbdlX— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) May 25, 2019
Next up for the Irishmen will be Scotland, before the event then heads into the knockout stages of the tournament.
This weekend's tournament is viewed as crucial preparation ahead of next season when Ireland will become a core team on the 2020 World Rugby Sevens Series. At present, Ireland are only an invited team at the Twickenham tournament.
Ireland qualified for the world tour by winning last month's qualifying tournament in Hong Kong.
The final game of the day for Anthony Eddy's men takes place at 5.54pm.
