England will play Wales in the quarter-finals of the Rugby Europe Grand Prix in Brive, France, tomorrow (Sunday).
England, who finished third in the first of the two-leg series last weekend in Russia, came through unbeaten on day one despite naming a young and relatively inexperienced side for this tournament.
First-up they defeated Germany 47-7 with Victoria Fleetwood (2), Fiona Pocock, Claire Allan, Alice Richardson, Abbie Brown and Lydia Thompson all scoring tries. Megan Jones and Richardson added six conversions.
England then went on to inflict a 32-7 victory on Scotland with Thompson securing a brace. Rachael Burford, Fiona Pocock, Heather Fisher and Abbie Brown also crossed. Alice Richardson added one conversion.
In the final game of the day, Ireland, just like last week, made England work hard for their win. Tries from Brown and Richardson secured a 12-10 win by the narrowest of margins.
England Assistant Coach Susie Appleby said: “We were really solid against Germany and Scotland. We got stuck into both of those games and the players were ruthless in their execution which was really pleasing to see. We also managed to get all the players some good game time and that was really important.
“Just like last week, playing Ireland was a massive game and a tough one. We let them in for a try in the first half, but in the end we got them on the back foot and that is why we ground out the win. The small margins in those games make a massive difference.
“Now we play Wales which will be another good test as we look to give these players more experience and see what they can do in these sorts of tournaments.”
England Sevens
Claire Allan (Richmond)
Abbie Brown (Bristol)
Rachael Burford (VC) (Thurrock)
Abigail Chamberlain (C) (Richmond)
Heather Fisher (Thurrock)
Victoria Fleetwood (Saracens)
Megan Jones (Bristol)
Francesca Matthews (Richmond)
Fiona Pocock (Richmond)
Leanne Riley (Saracens)
Alice Richardson (Richmond)
Lydia Thompson (Worcester)
England Playing Schedule
Saturday, 20 June 2015
England 47-7 Germany
Tries: Fleetwood (2), Pocock, Allan, Richardson, Brown, Thompson
Conversions: Jones (2), Richardson (4)
England 32-7 Scotland
Tries: Thompson (2), Burford, Pocock, Fisher, Brown
Conversions:
Richardson
England 12-10 Ireland
Tries: Brown, Richardson
Conversions:
Richardson
Sunday, 21 June 2015
England v Wales, KO 9:22am BST
