With less than a hundred days to go to Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018, the team of referees who will oversee the exhilarating action at AT&T Park in San Francisco has been named by World Rugby.

Ireland began day one of the HSBC World Rugby Women's Sevens Series tournament in Kitakyushu on a real high, defeating close rivals Spain in a thrilling five-try clash, but their challenge for a Cup quarter-final berth petered out with losses to number one seeds Australia and China, the recent Hong Kong qualifier winners.

Ireland Sevens coach Stan McDowell has confirmed the 12 players to compete at the Kitakyushu 7s this weekend. The pool games get underway in the next few hours at the Mikuni World Stadium, with the knockout stages taking place on Sunday.

Communities the length and breadth of Japan will share in the excitement of hosting Rugby World Cup 2019 following the announcement of the provisional selection of 52 team camps where the teams will stay and train.

The Ireland Women's Sevens squad for the third leg of the HSBC World Rugby Women's Sevens World Series in Kitakyushu, Japan next weekend has been named.

Grand Slam winner-turned-IRFU professional referee Joy Neville was honoured at last night's Rehab People of the Year Awards in Dublin, as she continues to blaze a trail as one of the leading rugby match officials in Europe and beyond.

Following a review, conducted in the aftermath of recent court proceedings, the Irish Rugby Football Union and Ulster Rugby have revoked the contracts of Patrick Jackson and Stuart Olding with immediate effect.

THE IRFU and Ulster Rugby have issued the following statement.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 is today celebrating 100 days to go with the announcement of the tournament seedings.

The Ireland Under-18 Clubs & Schools team (sponsored by PwC) were left to rue a disallowed first half try as a late rally saw England U-18 Counties triumph 32-29 in Portsmouth on Saturday and take the series 2-0.

The Easter series between the Ireland and France Under-19 teams ended with one win apiece after the French side exacted revenge at the Sportsground on Saturday, running out 45-20 winners of the sides' second clash.

The Ireland Under-18 Schools team (sponsored by PwC) slipped to a 19-17 defeat to Scotland in the final round of the Under-18 Six Nations Festival in Cardiff this afternoon.

Ireland's dreams of competing as a World Sevens Series core team next season were dashed by a last-gasp 12-7 semi-final defeat to Japan, the eventual Hong Kong 7s champions. Kameli Raravou Soejima's breakaway try in the final play ensured a gut-wrenching end to the qualifying tournament for Anthony Eddy's men.

The Ireland Men's Sevens squad are two steps closer to a shot at HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series qualification after scoring six tries each in well-judged wins over Uruguay (36-0) and Zimbabwe (38-5) at the Hong Kong 7s today.

The Ireland Under-19s (sponsored by PwC) wrap up their two-match series against France at the Sportsground on Saturday (kick-off 2.30pm), with head coach Tom Tierney making four personnel changes and a positional switch.

Head coach Mark Butler has made nine changes in personnel for the Ireland Under-18 Clubs & Schools team's second clash with England Under-18 Counties at HMS Temeraire in Portsmouth on Saturday (kick-off 12pm).

The Ireland Men's Sevens squad enjoyed a winning start to their quest for World Rugby Sevens Series qualification in Hong Kong, running in 11 tries in their opening pool wins over the Cook Islands (41-5) and Jamaica (26-0).

The April edition of 'In Touch' magazine is out now and it is packed full of Grand Slam memories as we take a look back at Ireland's historic 2018 NatWest 6 Nations title win.

The Ireland Men's Sevens squad are gearing up to compete at the Hong Kong 7s this weekend. For the players taking to the field over the three-day tournament, the goal is to win the competition outright and claim a place on next season's HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

The excitement and anticipation is building for the start of Ireland's Hong Kong 7s campaign and their bid for a place on next season's HSBC World Rugby Men's Sevens Series. Anthony Eddy's men face the Cook Islands first up on Friday (12.20pm local time/5.20am Irish time).