Ireland Women had a disappointing opening day in the London Invitational Sevens tournament finishing bottom of their pool having failed to record a win.

Ireland lost to Canada 22 – 5 in the opening round with Aisling Hutchings scoring a late consolation after the Canadians had raced to a 22 – 0 lead.

Next up for the Girls in Green was a narrow 17 – 14 loss to the USA. Jeannette Feigherty and Niamh Briggs crossed for Ireland to take a 14 – 0 lead but the USA hit back with three second half tries to secure their victory.

In the final game of the afternoon Ireland we’re well beaten by Russia who went into an early two try lead. Ireland hit back at the start of the second half with a try from Lynne Cantwell but the Russians regained their 12 point lead almost immediately. Niamh Kavanagh broke clear for Ireland to take the score to 17- 10 before the Russians finished off with their fourth try to take the final score to 24 – 10.

Ireland now face England tomorrow morning (KO 09:44) in the knock out stages.

IRELAND WOMEN’S SEVENS: Jenny Murphy (Leinster), Claire Molloy (Exile), Niamh Briggs (Munster), Jeannette Feighery (Munster), Claire Keohane (Munster), Lynne Cantwell (Exile), Alison Miller (Connacht), Shannon Houston (Leinster), Amy Davis (Ulster), Ashleigh Baxter (Ulster), Niamh Kavanagh (Munster), Ashling Hutchings (Munster)