By Paul Osborne

New Zealand, Canada and Russia boast 100 per cent records after day one of action in the IRB Women's Sevens World Series in Atlanta ©IRBFebruary 15 - Russia, Canada and New Zealand were the outstanding teams on the opening day of the women's USA Rugby Sevens in Atlanta as each progressed to the quarter-finals with unbeaten records.


Canada led the way in pool A, beating the hosts 31-0 inside the Fifth-Third Bank Stadium in Atlanta's Kennesaw State University before thrashing China 47-0 and edging past Australia, who won round one of the Women's Sevens World Series in Dubai, 12-7.

Day two will see a repeat of the opening fixture of the competition as the Canadians face the United States in the quarter-finals.

Australia's wins over the US and China were enough to seal second place in the pool, setting up a quarter-final against pool B runners up, England.

Hosts the United States will face a dominant Canada in the Cup quarter-finals hoping to reverse the fortunes of the opening group game ©IRBHosts the United States will face a dominant Canada in the Cup quarter-finals hoping to reverse the fortunes of the opening group game ©IRB



A tough pool B saw New Zealand and England get the better of both Ireland and The Netherlands before coming head-to-head in the final game of the day.

It was the runners up from Dubai in round one, New Zealand, who came out on top of this fixture, sealing their spot atop pool B with a 100 per cent winning streak.

They will now face pool C runners up Japan in the quarter-final with England set to face the Aussies.

Russia were the dominant force in pool C as the team beat Japan, Brazil and Spain en route to the quarter-finals.

They will have a repeat encounter with Spain in the quarter-finals as Japan get set for a tough match against New Zealand.

The Russian women were dominant in pool C, beating Japan, Spain and Brazil to progress to the Cup quarter-finals ©IRBThe Russian women were dominant in pool C, beating Japan, Spain and Brazil to progress to the Cup quarter-finals ©IRB



The three bottom placed teams, China, Brazil and The Netherlands, as well as the lowest third placed team, Ireland, will head into the Bowl semi-final on day two of proceedings.

This competition will see Ireland up against China before The Netherlands take on Brazil for a place in the final.

All quarter-final, semi-final and final matches will be played on the second and final day of competition, inside the Fifth-Third Bank Stadium.

The teams will then head to São Paulo the following week for the third round of the Women's Sevens Rugby Series before a short break ahead of the fourth and fifth rounds in Guangzhou and Amsterdam in April and May respectively.

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