Ireland's women’s 7s produced a scintillating display to down France in the quarter-final of the HSBC World Rugby Series Sevens in Hamilton.
The damage was done in the first half as Ireland built up a 14-0 lead, Beibhinn Parsons scoring a try early on before Amee Leigh Murphy Crowe did likewise with Lucy Mulhall converting both.
Megan Burns broke down the right to grab Ireland’s third try and Aiden McNulty’s side were comfortably through by the time Parsons grabbed her second.
Séraphine Okemba did get over for a France try late on, but it didn’t matter.
The side will now face hosts New Zealand in the last four with Australia and the USA meeting in the other semi-final.
Ireland's men went down 10-5 to New Zealand in their quarter-final.
Aaron O'Sullivan gave Ireland the dream start with his try after the first minute but they we unable to build on that early score.
Sam Dickson's fourth minute try saw the sides draw level and Brady Rush went over for what proved to be the match-winner ten minutes later.
Earlier on Saturday, the men began with a narrow 14-12 win over Uruguay, tries from O'Sullivan and Bryan Mollen, with Billy Dardis and Mark Roche striking the conversions.
Megan Burns seals a superb win in Aotearoa! ⚡️#Ireland7s | @TritonLake
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) January 21, 2023
pic.twitter.com/dSxYhSVpMY
This was followed by another tense game, a 14-14 draw with USA, tries from Ed Kelly and Andrew Smith twice putting Ireland in front before the Americans responded.
It was plain sailing in the final pool game, tries from Smith, Roche, Jordan Conroy, Terry Kennedy and Harry McNulty easing Ireland to a 33-12 win over Japan, setting up the meeting with New Zealand in the quarters.
In their opener, the women's side were far too strong for Brazil as they powered to a 28-5 victory.
Eve Higgins, Lucy Mulhall and Murphy Crowe (2) all crossed for tries in an impressive performance.
The second match against Spain was even more routine, Murphy Crowe and Mulhall scoring once again, with Kathy Baker, Emily Lane and 15s star Parsons also among the tries as Ireland ran out 31-5 winners.
Their last-eight spot assured, Ireland stumbled to a 15-7 loss to USA in their final pool game, setting up a tie with France in the quarters.
QUARTER-FINAL FIXTURES
Womens: Ireland v New Zealand, 12.42am
