He labels the IRFU’s decision as “shameful” due to this.
The IRFU announced the men’s sevens team would no longer continue, following a review which highlighted a current difficult financial situation as one of the main reasons.
This has led to mixed reactions with Irish great, Gordon D’Arcy, defending the IRFU and sympathising with the financial difficulties. Other Irish rugby legends such as Terry Kennedy, have blasted the call to get rid of the men’s sevens and have less sympathy for the IRFU’s financial struggles.
Another rugby icon has now given his views, with Matt Williams another who is not a fan of this choice.
The former Leinster coach sees the men’s sevens as an elite sport side itself, and not a developmental process to play 15s. Williams cites the Paris Olympics Sevens tournament as an example of the sevens side providing elite sporting entertainment as well.
Playing on this stage would provide a platform for young boys and girls to watch, and be inspired by the sevens team, according to Williams. The Aussie believes getting rid of the men’s sevens takes this all away.
In his column for the Irish Times, he said: “The decision to abandon the men’s Irish Sevens programme has broken the hearts and shattered the dreams of generations of players.
“As children, we started to play the game because we hoped that one day we could be like our heroes. I wonder how many little boys and girls watched the Olympic Sevens tournament in Paris and said to themselves: “One day I am going to do that.””
He added: “That our young men can no longer dream of playing for Ireland at an Olympic Games because the IRFU says they cannot afford men’s Sevens borders on the shameful.”
Williams acknowledges the IRFU’s problems financially, but also feels more can be done to ensure the seven’s team is kept.
He said: “While budgets are real, savings should have been made in other areas to ensure that Ireland’s men will continue to represent the nation at world sport’s greatest event, the Olympic Games.”
