Ireland stars in line for Olympic 7s switch as Leinster open the door
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Switch.
Some of Ireland’s top internationals could be set to make the switch to sevens to play at the Olympics in France next year after Leinster coach Leo Cullen opened the door for discussions.
Wallabies great Michael Hooper announced this week that he will be switching to the Aussie 7s ahead of the Olympics, with France set to announce Antoine Dupont’s switch, along with some of their other big names.
Cullen was asked about some of his internationals making the switch following Leinster’s bonus-point win over the Scarlets in the URC last night and appeared open to the idea.
“Yeah, I’ve heard stranger things all right,” Cullen told RTE.
“I’m really curious to see what different teams do.”
Hugo Keenan has become one of Ireland and Leinster’s most important players since he made the switch from sevens, and Cullen admitted he would help facilitate a temporary switch back for him should he request it.
“I think that’s probably for Hugo to answer that question,” Cullen said when asked about the fullback.
“It would depend on what the player wants to do obviously and we’ll try and facilitate that as best we possibly can, yeah.
“Like, it is amazing what [France] are doing, what Dupont has achieved in the game so yeah, listen, we are open-minded people so we are. We definitely would have a conversation.”