Tough day for Irish sevens in Hong Kong

Ireland's teams had a day to forget at the World Rugby Hong Kong Sevens with three losses from three games.

Chasing Olympic qualification with two rounds to go, the women's team, who installed a new head coach during the week, lost 17-7 to Fiji in their opening game after taking the lead through a Stacey Flood try at the end of the first half.

Tries from Kathy Baker and Amee Leigh Murphy-Crowe weren't enough to overcome Australia in the second match as Ireland lost 19-12.

The team, with Allan Temple-Jones taking over from Aiden McNulty earlier this week, face Brazil in their final pool match tomorrow.

Ireland came into the weekend sitting in fifth position in the World Series, but with Olympic hosts France occupying fourth place, the side would secure their place at the 2024 Games as things stand.

The men's team started in eighth position in the series with four rounds remaining but lost their opening pool game to South Africa, 14-7, with Matthew McDonald grabbing the only Irish try.

They face Kenya and New Zealand on Saturday.