Keenan’s Sevens switch is ‘brilliant for everybody’

Bernard Jackman believes Hugo Keenan’s temporary switch to Sevens rugby this summer is a move that suits all parties, even with the full-back now set to miss Ireland’s Test series against South Africa.

The 27-year-old has linked up with the Irish Sevens team this week ahead of the final leg of their World SVNS Series in Madrid, and is expected to be unavailable to Leinster in the URC play-offs as he looks to secure a place in James Topping’s squad for the Olympic Games in Paris.

Keenan was a regular for the Ireland Sevens squad between 2017 and 2019, but has become one of the world’s best full-backs in the XV’s game in recent years, winning 39 caps for Ireland, and cementing his place in the Irish backline.

If he does make the final squad for the Olympic Games in Paris, it would see him miss out on Ireland’s two-Test tour of South Africa in July.

“I think it’s a great thing for him to do. It’s good for his mind,” Jackman told the RTÉ Rugby podcast.

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The former Leinster and Ireland hooker also believes Keenan’s absence from the tour could have long-term benefits for Ireland XV’s head coach Andy Farrell, who can use the summer to get more experience into other full-back options.

“I know he’s coming back from an injury but in general he plays a hell of a lot of rugby. It helps Ireland, and it also helps Farrell find someone who can step in. It increases Ireland’s depth.

“I also think the Sevens players who have done incredibly well without the XV’s players, it’s more acceptable because he has a background in that.

“They have to still make the squad, but I think it’s brilliant for everybody,” he added.

Former Munster and Leicester Tigers wing Johne Murphy joined Jackman on the podcast, and says Keenan deserves his chance to become an Olympian, having played a part in getting them to their previous Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021.

“I think it’s massive. When Sevens first became an Olympic sport, it’s a massive draw for anyone who’s an athlete of any kind. The opportunity to that is huge,” Murphy said.

“He was very much part of the previous qualification. He went off, he was one of the players that went off and played a couple of years and came back and it’s stood to him in terms of hiss skillset, his engine, everything.

“The Sevens are one of the favourites for a podium finish. Look at the golfers, Justin Rose and how he speaks about it. Even Rory [McIlroy], the last Olympics I remember him saying, ‘I never tried so hard to finish third in my life’.

“It’s just such a draw, and I think it’s brilliant to see him, and what an opportunity, and what an experience to go and do it.”

With Keenan out of commission for the South Africa tour, it leaves the 15 shirt available, with several players in contention to take it.

Previously, Mack Hansen (above) would have been seen as the ideal candidate to cover in the event of Keenan’s unavailability.

The Connacht wing has been absent since New Year’s Day due to a dislocated shoulder, which is taking longer than expected to heal.

Hansen looks unlikely to feature for Connacht in Friday’s BKT United Rugby Championship meeting with Leinster at the RDS, which could be their final game of the season.

And Murphy believes Hansen may benefit from being given the summer off, rather than touring South Africa.

“If you take a longer-term view on this, is it worth just giving him a break, giving him a full pre-season to be fully right.

“Going down for what’s going to be an incredible tour down there would generally take you two and half or three games to get up to full speed anyway. Is it worth that?

“With Keenan going on the Sevens, and this, it gives them an opportunity to broaden their net, give guys more game-time and build a greater squad. They’re going to need it again, they’re going into a Lions year and Mack Hansen will be in that conversation if you go back on form.

“For me, if he’s not right for this weekend, you’re better off letting him take another couple of months, get completely refreshed and give it a lash from next September on,” he added.

Listen to the RTÉ Rugby podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

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