Rugby

Hugo Keenan set to play Sevens rugby for Ireland at the Olympic Games

Leinster fullback would miss Ireland’s tour of South Africa

Ireland's Hugo Keenan. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

David Gorman
Wed May 22 2024 - 16:30

Hugo Keenan is set to make a return to the Ireland Sevens team with the aim of playing in the Olympic Games in Paris in the summer.

It means the fullback would miss Ireland’s tour of South Africa, according to news first reported in the 42.ie, with the plan for the Leinster player to focus on Sevens after the Champions Cup final against Toulouse on Saturday.

Keenan had expressed an interest in playing in the Olympics and was the preferred choice to join up with the Sevens, given his experience of playing with the team from 2017 until 2019.

The 27-year-old Dubliner has missed several games this year for Leinster and Ireland due to knee and hip injuries, and will hope to avoid aggravating his hip in the Champions Cup final.

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Keenan could feature in the Rugby Europe Sevens Championship in Croatia from June 7-9, with the Olympics Sevens tournament taking place from July 24-27. Ireland’s tour of South Africa takes place in July, with games against the Springboks on July 6th and July 13th.

Keenan’s absence would give Andy Farrell the opportunity to try out a deputy at fullback against elite opposition. Keenan has played the majority of matches for Ireland over the past few years, missing his first matches in this year’s Six Nations.

Hosts France will have world-class scrumhalf Antoine Dupont in their squad for the Olympics.

David Gorman

David Gorman

David Gorman is a sports journalist with The Irish Times

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