Tokyo 2020: Ireland sevens team in pool with South Africa

The 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams have been allocated to three pools of four teams

The Irish men’s rugby sevens team secured their maiden Olympic berth after beating France 28-19 in the final qualifier. Photograph: Manuel Blondeau/Inpho
The Irish men’s rugby sevens team secured their maiden Olympic berth after beating France 28-19 in the final qualifier. Photograph: Manuel Blondeau/Inpho

South Africa, bronze medallists in Rio, are in Pool C alongside the USA, Kenya, and debutants Ireland at next month’s Tokyo Olympics.

The 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams have been allocated to three pools of four teams, according to rankings based on performances in the World Rugby Sevens Series and other sanctioned tournaments over the past two years.

The men’s competition will take place from July 26-28th and the women’s will follow on July 29th-31st, with all matches taking place at Tokyo Stadium.

The Irish men’s team secured their maiden Olympic berth after beating France 28-19 in the final qualifier earlier this month.

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Britain’s men will face reigning champions Fiji, hosts Japan and Canada. Silver medal winners in 2016, have been drawn in Pool B alongside two other top-four finishers from Rio, with Canada having clinched fourth place on their Olympics debut.

World Cup Sevens and World Series champions New Zealand have been allocated Pool A together with Australia, Argentina and Olympic debutants Korea.

The Britain women’s team will face World Cup Sevens and World Series title holders New Zealand, the Russian Olympic Committee team and Kenya in Pool A.

Teams that have qualified for men’s sevens rugby at Tokyo: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Britain, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, South Korea, New Zealand, South Africa, United States.

Teams that have qualified for women’s sevens rugby at Tokyo: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Fiji, France, Britain, Japan, Kenya, New Zealand, Russia, United States.