The IRFU Club Sevens kicks off this weekend with the Munster and Ulster legs of the championship taking place on Saturday. The action will be fast and furious in the host venues in Cork and Belfast.

The championships kick off at noon in Cork IT and Belfast Harlequins and it promises to be an all action day as clubs vie to become the first IRFU Club Sevens Champions – the top two teams will qualify for the All-Ireland Club Sevens Championship which takes place on Saturday May 21st.

Bateman All-Ireland Cup Champions Bruff will be one of the favourites to take the Munster title but they will face stiff opposition from the likes of UCC, Garryowen and Dolphin.

In Ulster the newly crowned Ulster Bank League Division 2 Champions Ballynahinch will be hoping to end their season on a high but will face a tough challenge from the likes of Banbridge, who narrowly lost out on promotion last weekend, and Division 3 Champions City Of Derry.

The Leinster and Connacht legs of the Club Sevens Championship take place a week later.

IRFU Domestic Game Manager Scott Walker said: “The advent of Rugby Sevens as an Olympic sport will see a surge in interest and popularity for the game as a whole.

“The IRFU Club Sevens programme aims to introduce the skills of the seven-a-side game at grassroots level with the emphasis on the development of Irish players.”

“We conducted an extensive survey of players and coaches in recent seasons, and Sevens was high on the list of things that they wanted to see.”

“The IRFU Club Sevens Championships will be a great addition to the rugby calendar, a wonderful social occasion and also a fantastic way for players to develop and hone their skills.”

Information on the IRFU Club Sevens Championship is available on www.irfusevens.ie

IRFU Club Sevens Championship

May 7th

IRFU Club Sevens – Munster Championship

IRFU Club Sevens – Ulster Championship

May 14th

IRFU Club Sevens – Leinster Championship

IRFU Club Sevens – Connacht Championship

May 21st

IRFU Club Sevens – All Ireland Championship