Former Ireland sevens captain Billy Dardis says the ending of the men’s sevens programme is “unbelievably deflating” as the IRFU announced this evening that it will shut down its men’s sevens set-up at the end of this season following a comprehensive review. Ten months after Ireland made history by having a women’s and men’s sevens team at the Paris Olympics, the union confirmed that the men’s programme will cease but the women’s sevens programme will continue. The IRFU said the move is “part of a broader strategic effort to ensure long-term financial sustainability” following the release of their financial results last November which showed an €18m deficit for the 2023/24 season.