Ireland Women’s 7’s had mixed fortunes in Day 1 of the World Series Women’s Sevens in Atlanta, winning one and losing two of their pool fixtures.

Drawn in a tough pool alongside New Zealand, England and Netherlands it was always going to be a big ask for teh inexperienced Irish side but despite heavy losses to England (32 – 0) and New Zealand (36 – 7) the girls in green finished off the pool stages in some style with a surprising 12 – 10 win against an experienced Dutch side.

The Ireland scorers included, Ulster’s own, Nikki Caughey who bagged a try and conversion against the All Blacks with competition débutante Nicola Cronin grabbing a try against the Netherlands as did experienced captain Shannon Houston with Claire Keohane slotting over the vital conversion.

The girls will now face China in the Bowl Semi Final and if they win will, more than likely, face the Netherlands in a rematch in the Bowl Final. The match against China kicks off at 13:28 in Atlanta, 18:28 in UK/IRE. Coverage here.

It’s a mark of improvement for the squad which includes three new players who have been identified as part of the IRFU’s on-going talent identification programme. With the bulk of last seasons squad now back defending their title in the Six Nations coach Jon Skurr has been forced to look further afield for talent in what will be a development season alongside the world’s elite.

The programme, which is open to the wider athletic and team sport community, offers elite athletes the opportunity to join an Olympic programme in what is a new and exciting international female sport.

IRELAND WOMEN’S SEVENS 
1. Aisling Naughton (Talent ID Programme)
2. Aoife Doyle (Munster)
3. Christine Arthurs (Connacht)
4. Claire Keohane (Munster)
5. Elaine Ryan (Talent ID Programme)
6. Laura O’Mahony (Munster)
7. Laura Lee Walsh (Talent ID Programme)
8. Megan Williams (Exiles)
9. Niamh Ni Dhroma (Connacht)
10. Nicole Cronin (Munster)
11. Nikki Caughey (Ulster)
12. Shannon Houston (Leinster) (capt)
13. Siobhan Barrett (Munster)
14. Susan Vaughan (Leinster)