Team GB men make strong start to rugby sevens campaign

TOKYO Great Britain’s men made an impressive start to their rugby sevens campaign and marched into the Tokyo Olympics quarter-finals with opening day victories over Canada and Japan.

The Rio Games silver medallists tackle reigning Olympic champions Fiji in the final round of group games on Tuesday, when Pool B top spot will be at stake, but a last-eight place is guaranteed.

Britain saw off Canada 24-0 in their opener – Dan Norton (2), Ross McCann and Robbie Fergusson scored tries, with Dan Bibby kicking two conversions – after Tom Mitchell’s side followed the Great Britain women’s hockey and football teams by taking the knee before kick-off.

Japan earlier gave Fiji a major scare, leading by seven points early in the second period before two late tries thwarted them.But they were brushed aside 34-0 as Harry Glover, Ben Harris, Ethan Waddleton, Alex Davis, Bibby and Mitchell touched down, and Bibby landed two conversions to complete an outstanding day’s work.

Prospects for the men’s and women’s GB squads looked bleak last year amid coronavirus-enforced cuts made to sevens programmes in Britain.Funding, though, was then obtained via a commercial partnership struck between the Rugby Football Union, Scottish Rugby Union, Welsh Rugby Union and The National Lottery promotional fund.

It meant the Olympic dream came alive again following an uncertain time that long-serving sevens exponent Bibby is unlikely to forget in a hurry.Ireland, Tokyo qualifiers after winning the repechage tournament in Monaco earlier this summer, lost 33-14 to South Africa on their Games debut.

Gavin Mullin and Terry Kennedy scored tries, while captain Billy Dardis converted both scores, before a much-improved showing against the United States saw Ireland in touch through first-half touchdowns from Hugo Lennox and Harry McNulty.

They ended up going down 19-17, having pushed their opponents hard, with Foster Horan claiming the game’s final touchdown. The tournament’s pool stage concludes on Tuesday, when quarter-final ties also take place.