Ireland Women Sevens had a tough Day 1 at the Biarritz 7s, the final leg of the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series. 

The girls in green failed to win any of their Pool B matches and have dropped into the Challenge Trophy competition for the second successive tournament. 

Their first match on Day 2 will be against England, in the Challenge Trophy semi finals, kick off 11:28 UK/IRE. 

Ireland were in a tough group, facing top four sides Australia and Canada, but they would have been expecting a result in thier last match, against Spain who trail Ireland in the overall series standings.

However, Ireland struggled to get their last pass away, in a disappointing performance,  allowing Spain to steal the game in the closing minutes. 

You can view Ireland’s Pool B match details below:

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Australia raced to a 17 – 0 lead in the first half thanks to a Tonegato double either side of a Pelite try. 

Stacy Flood pulled the score back to 17 – 5 with an unconverted try at the start of the second half but it was Australia who pushed on with Green crossing before Pelite wrapped up the win with her second try and Australia’s fifth. 

Ireland Scorers.
TRY: Stacy Flood

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[accordion title=”Biarritz 7s Pool B: Canada 27 – 10 Ireland” load=”hide”]

Ireland got off to the best of starts with Eve Higgins and Amee Leigh Murphy Crowe  both crossing to give Ireland a 0 – 10 lead. Unfortunately that was it for Ireland with Lukan crossing for Canada before a Farella double game Canada a 15 – 10 lead at the end of a busy first half. 

Canada were the only scorers in a tighter second half with Benn crossing before Lukan grabbed her second try of the game. Landry added a conversion 

Ireland Scorers.
TRY: Eve Higgins, Amee Leigh Murphy Crowe

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[accordion title=”Biarritz 7s Pool B: Spain 12 – 10 Ireland” load=”hide”]

Ireland again got off to a good start with Emily Lane opening the scoring for a 0 – 5 lead. However, Ireland’s poor passing let Spain off the hook on several occasions allowing Lasanda to even the score and Garcia to put Spain 7 – 5 in front at the break with the conversion. 

Ireland went back in front through, the ever willing, Amee Leigh Murphy Crowe but the conversion was missed to leave the score at 7- 10 in Ireland’s favour. Ireland had a few chances to extend their lead but their problems with the final pass continued and Spain broke upfield to take a 12 – 10 lead thanks to a Hurtado try. 

Ireland still had a final chance to take the game but their decision making let them down. 

Ireland scorers.
TRY: Emily Lane, Amee Leigh Murphy Crowe

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The Ireland players will be disappointed with their current form but they can take a big step forward tomorrow by beating England in the Challenge Trophy semi final, England forming the bulk of Team GB who will be one of Ireland’s main challenger’s for that all important European Rugby qualifying spot for the 2020 Olympic Games. 

The Ireland Women Sevens squad and their up to date stats are shown below.

Ireland Women 7s Squad for Biarritz	All Time Stats			2019 Stats
	Played	Points	Tries	Played	Points	Tries
Kathy Barker	11	5	1	2	0	0
Claire Boles	30	5	1	14	0	0
Megan Burns	12	0	0	12	0	0
Aoife Doyle	55	45	9	26	25	5
Stacy Flood	92	125	25	11	15	3
Louise Galvin	73	90	18	24	20	4
Eve Higgins	56	102	18	32	87	15
Brittany Hogan	24	5	1	24	5	1
Emily Lane	19	10	2	19	10	2
Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe	110	410	82	31	165	33
Deirbhile Nic A Bhaird	49	25	5	30	15	3
Hannah Tyrrell	81	72	14	26	42	8