England’s Claire Allan

England Women will face Ireland in the quarter-finals of the Rugby Europe Sevens Grand Prix in Kazan, Russia, tomorrow (Sunday).

Simon Middleton’s side head into day two of the first leg of the series with an unbeaten record after wins over Germany, Wales and the Netherlands today.

England, who named a new-look side for the first leg of the series which included XVs Rugby World Cup winner Vicky Fleetwood making her sevens debut, opened day one with a convincing 40-7 win over Germany. Skipper Abigail Chamberlain, Emily Scott, Fleetwood, Fran Matthews, Claire Allan and Heather Fisher all scored with Abbie Brown adding five conversions.

Next-up England took on Wales and impressed with a seven try 43-0 win. Fisher, Leanne Riley, Lydia Thompson (2), Fleetwood, Fran Matthews and Chamberlain all crossed with Sarah McKenna adding four conversions.

In the final game of the day, England were again in fine form running in 26-5 winners against the Netherlands. This time Alex Mathews ran in a hat-trick of tries with Claire Allan also touching down. McKenna added three conversions to seal the win.

Middleton said: “We dispatched of the opposition well today, playing the way we wanted to play so we are pleased with that. We were clinical and strong in our physicality too. Now we play Ireland and that is going to be a big game. They are a much improved side and given they are still after Olympic qualification, the stakes are high for them.”

England Sevens 

Claire Allan   (Richmond)

Francesca Matthews (Richmond)

Lydia Thompson (Worcester)

Alexandra Matthews (Richmond)

Rachael Burford (Thurrock)

Sarah             McKenna (Saracens)

Abigail Chamberlain (Richmond) C

Abbie  Brown            (Bristol)

Leanne Riley (Saracens)

Emily Scott (Thurrock)

Heather Fisher (Thurrock)

Victoria Fleetwood (Lichfield)

Rugby Europe Kazan Playing Schedule:

Saturday June 13

England 40 Germany 7

Tries: Chamberlain, Scott, Fleetwood, F Matthews, Allan, Fisher

Conversions: Brown (5)

England 43 Wales 0

Tries: Fisher, Riley, Thompson (2), Fleetwood, F Matthews, Chamberlain

Conversions: McKenna (4)

England 26 Netherlands 5

Tries: A Matthews (3), Allan

Conversions: McKenna 3)

Sunday June 14

England v Ireland, KO 822am BST