Paris 2024: Ireland face Aussie rematch in quarter-finals

Ireland will face Australia in tonight's women's rugby sevens quarter-finals, hours after they fell to a narrow five-point defeat to the Aussies in their final pool game.

At the Stade de France earlier this afternoon, Ireland knew a win against Australia would have guaranteed passage to the last eight, however the 19-14 loss meant their fate was out of their hands.

Still, with other results going their way, Ireland secured their quarter-final place after finishing as one of the two best third-placed teams.

They will now face Australia again in the fourth quarter-final match up at 9.30pm.

Ireland 14-19 Australia

In this afternoon's game, Ireland dominated possession in large parts and enjoyed decent spells of play, but the wily Australians managed to grind out the win.

The Aussies were quick out of the blocks, grabbing the game's opening try after just 23 seconds when Faith Nathan crossed the line and Teagen Levi converted.

Ireland responded well, heaping the pressure on their opponents and eventually forcing their way over the line through Eve Higgins' first try of the game. She then successfully converted to tie up the game.

However, the Australians nabbed the lead again in first-half injury time when Levi swayed through some Irish challenges before sprinting clear and planting the ball beyond the line.

Ireland emerged from the break looking sharp but conceeded a harsh penalty high up the Australian half.

The Aussies took it quickly and Maddie Levi sprinted almost half the pitch before securing the try to extend Australia's lead.

Ireland thought they had narrowed the deficit when Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe touched down, however, she had knocked on the ball before it crossed.

Australia were reduced to six players when Tia Hinds was