France 7-24 Ireland
BEIBHINN PARSONS SCORED a try in each half as Ireland booked a semi-final showdown against New Zealand at the Hamilton 7s this evening.
Aiden McNulty’s side ran out impressive 24-7 winners against France in the quarter-finals, and now face a quick turnaround before a mouthwatering final four clash [12.42am Sunday Irish time].
Parsons crossed to open the scoring in the first minute before Amee Leigh Murphy Crowe added a second, two Lucy Mulhall conversions sending them in 14-0 up at the break.
Megan Burns raced away to score Ireland’s third early in the second half before Parsons grabbed her second try of the game to leave Ireland 24-0 up and cruising.
Burns, Megan Burns 💃
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) January 21, 2023
She wins a race to the line, @IrishRugby win the race to the final four #NZ7s | #HSBC7s pic.twitter.com/dZyI4EjNCd
Séraphine Okemba’s try, converted by Lilou Gracie, proved to be little consolation for France.
New Zealand were 43-12 winners over Japan in their quarter-final, while the other side of the draw sees Australia take on the USA in the first women’s semi-final.
In the quarter-finals of the men’s tournament, a last-minute try cost Ireland dearly in a 10-5 defeat against New Zealand.
The sides were deadlocked at 5-5 after Aaron O’Sullivan’s opening try was cancelled out by Sam Dickson.
But Brady Rush struck at the death to send New Zealand through to a semi-final against France, while Ireland must now regroup for their fifth-place semi-final against South Africa.
Just glorious, @nz_sevens 🙌
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) January 21, 2023
Brady Rush pulls out an absolute beauty in the final minute!#NZ7s | #HSBC7s pic.twitter.com/3KvvYle5lI