Ireland progress as England fall short at Sydney Women's Sevens
Friday 3 February 2017 14:20, UK
The HSBC World Rugby Women's Sevens Series arrived in Sydney for the first time and day one delivered mixed fortunes for England and Ireland Women.
England failed to progress to the quarter-finals for the first time while Ireland turned heads and qualified for the quarters for only the second time.
England were in Pool C alongside Russia, Spain and the USA and after an early victory could not find their flow.
They opened the day with a 19-10 victory over Spain before they squandered a 14-10 lead at the break against USA to lose 22-14.
Russia then overpowered England and as France finished strongly against Papua New Guinea in Pool A, England missed out on a best third-place spot instead dropping into the Challenge Trophy semi-final.
Ireland's Women enjoyed one of the most successful opening days in their history inspired by Amee-Leigh Murphy-Crowe.
Murphy-Crowe finished the day as joint top try-scorer with Russia's Alena Mikhaltsova with both women notching up five tries in their opening three matches.
Ireland's day started with their first series victory over Fiji, 19-12, before a sharp 0-29 lesson from the Olympic gold medallists Australia.
However, Anthony Eddy's side were not to be disheartened and the home nation brushed themselves off and rocketed to a five-try victory over Brazil to book their quarter-final place.
Russia, Australia and New Zealand all finished day one unbeaten so the quarter-finals will see New Zealand play France, Ireland against the USA, Australia taking on Fiji and Russia meeting Canada.
The opening day of the men's competition starts overnight on Friday, UK time. England's men are drawn in Pool A with South Africa, Kenya and Japan while Wales sit in Pool B with France, Fiji and Samoa.
Watch the final stages of the women's competition live on Saturday Sky Sports Mix at 05:10 and coverage of the men's on Sky Sports 2 from 22:00 on Friday evening.
