Britain and France advance to LA Sevens rugby final

English Woman's Journal - Britain and France advance to LA Sevens rugby final

SPORTS 03.03.2024

Britain and France advance to LA Sevens rugby final / Photo: Patrick T. Fallon - AFP

Great Britain and France advanced to Sunday's final of the World Rugby SVNS Series at Los Angeles with tight semi-final triumphs.

Change text size:

The British squad edged Spain 10-7 while France held off Ireland 26-24 in advancing to the championship match.

Robbie Fergusson's try in the fifth minute gave Great Britain a 5-0 half-time lead and Alex Davis added another in the ninth minute that made the difference.

Tobias Sainz-Trapaga scored a try for the Spaniards in the 12th minute and Juan Ramos added a conversion but it was too little and too late.

France advanced when Ireland's Billy Dardis missed a conversion kick after Terry Kennedy scored his second try in the 15th minute.

Rayan Rebbadj delivered a try and three conversions for France, which also had tries from Antoine Dupont, Paulin Riva and Antoine Zeghdar.

The French had seized a 26-12 lead before Zac Ward and Kennedy struck in the final minutes to lift the Irish within reach.

Former World Rugby Player of the Year Dupont, France's 15-a-side captain and scrum-half, switched to sevens in a bid to compete for Paris Olympic gold later this year. He debuted last weekend when France finished third at Vancouver.

Australia and New Zealand advanced to the women's final, the Aussies ousting the United States 26-19 and the Kiwis eliminating Canada 31-12.

D.Findlay--EWJ

FA Cup Second-Round Draw Confirmed for Non-League and Midlands Clubs

The FA Cup second-round draw has been finalized, setting up crucial ties for non-league teams aiming to reach the third round proper. Several clubs from the Midlands, including Burton Albion and Kidderminster Harriers, have secured their next opponents following recent victories over lower-league opposition.

Panthers expected to begin 2027 NRL season away from new stadium

The new Penrith Stadium is expected to be ready in time for the opening round of the 2027 NRL season, but it’s still likely the Panthers is expected to be on the road for their early matches. There is no delay to the build of the new $309 million venue but there’s a lack of appetite for risk around weather delays through the summer.

Tayyab Arif hits 57 on Pakistan Test debut against Sri Lanka

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AP) — Tayyab Arif smashed an aggressive half-century on debut and provided a new-look Pakistan lineup a confident start to the first cricket test against Sri Lanka on Monday. The 20-year-old Tayyab struck nine boundaries and a six in his 57-run knock as Pakistan reached 137-2 at lunch on a greenish wicket that lured Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis to bowl first after winning the toss.

English Woman's Journal - Britain and France advance to LA Sevens rugby final