England's Michaela Staniford

England booked their place in the quarter-finals after wins over the USA and Ireland and a narrow defeat to reigning world champions New Zealand on day one.

On the second day of action England started well with a physical and hard fought 10-0 win over Russia which saw Natasha Brennan and Michaela Staniford take the points.

That win pitted England against eventual cup winners Australia who proved too much of a handful for England with the Wallabies running in five tries to nil to take a 31-0 victory.

With England losing the semi-final, the third/fourth place play-off beckoned and Canada now stood in their way. Unfortunately for a much changed England side it was all one way traffic in their final clash with Canada’s Kayla Moleski (2), Gislaine Landry and Bianca Farella taking the spoils and a 26-0 win.

England Women Sevens Head Coach Simon Middleton said: “This has been a good week and I am pleased overall but the semi-final and third/fourth play-off game proved to be a step too far.

“Although our performances in Atlanta were pleasing, the results were ultimately disappointing. To regroup and reach the semi-finals six days later is testimony to the attitude and quality of the players who wore the shirt this weekend. The inexperienced element to our squad meant our senior players have had to step up massively. Going forward this will be an invaluable learning curve for all of us.”

After three rounds of World Series action England stay fifth in the world rankings ahead of next round in China in April.

England Sevens

Claire Allan (VC)     (Richmond)

Natasha         Brennan        (Richmond)

Abigail            Chamberlain (C)      (Richmond)

Heather          Fisher (Worcester)

Francesca     Matthews       (Richmond)

Sarah McKenna       (Saracens)

Leanne          Riley   (Saracens)

Emily  Scott   (Thurrock)

Danielle         Waterman      (Bristol)

Amy    Wilson-Hardy            (Bristol)

Michaela Staniford (Wasps)

Hannah Field (Richmond)

England Sao Paulo Playing Schedule:

Friday February 21^st

England 19 USA 5

Tries: Fisher, Waterman, Chamberlain

Conversions: McKenna (2)

England 29 Ireland 7

Tries: Allan (2), Brennan (2), Field

Conversions: McKenna, Scott

New Zealand 21 England 14

Tries: Allan, Wilson-Hardy

Conversions: McKenna, Scott

Saturday February 22^nd

Quarter-finals: England 10 Russia 0

Tries: Brennan, Staniford

Semi-Finals: England 0 Australia 31

3^rd/4^th play-off: England 0 Canada 26