FISU Women’s Rugby Sevens day 1 sees Canada, France and Japan set the pace.

The opening day of the women’s competition at the 2026 FISU World University Championship Rugby Sevens saw Canada, France and Japan emerge as the early pace-setters, with Canada unbeaten after two comprehensive victories and defending champions Japan and France both securing six points in Pool A. Australia showcased their attacking strength with an 89-0 win over Botswana despite a narrow defeat to Ireland, while hosts South Africa faced tough challenges against France and Japan, with Siyonela Macamba’s outstanding solo try providing one of the day’s highlights.

With Maronay Smuts, Leilani Hills, Ava Ference, Ava Van Santen and Karin Tadano among the leading performers, the opening day has set up an intriguing second day as teams battle for momentum and a place in the knockout stages.

Ireland produces late comeback to stun Australia
Ireland produced one of the comebacks of the opening day, overturning a 7-12 half-time deficit to defeat Australia 22-19.

Australia made the stronger start, with Leilani Hills showing her pace to race clear for the opening try, converted by Bonnie Brewer. Ireland responded almost immediately through Faith Oviawe, who showed composure to breach the Australian defence.

Hills added her second after the break as Australia moved 19-7 ahead, but Ireland refused to relent. Amy Larn and Leah Irwin crossed to bring the Irish within two points before a sustained passage of pressure allowed Oviawe to complete her brace in the closing moments.

The try handed Ireland the lead for the first time and secured a dramatic victory.

Scorers:
Ireland 22 (7) Tries: Faith Oviawe (2), Amy Larn, Leah Irwin
Con: Clare Gorman
Australia 19 (12)
Tries: Leilani Hills (2), Maronay Smuts
Cons: Bonnie Brewer, Maronay Smuts.

Canada too strong for Botswana
Canada produced a dominant display to defeat Botswana 70-0, showcasing their strength at the breakdown and set piece.

Rachel Cullum, Ella O’Regan and Ava Van Santen each crossed twice, while Corine Bellavance, Jaime Dickson, Mistura Are and Grace Dingwall also found the try line.

Canada’s kicking was equally impressive, with Ava Ference converting seven times and Megan Allard adding three conversions.

Botswana showed moments of determination but struggled to match Canada’s physicality and experience.

Scorers:
Canada 70 (35)
Tries: Rachel Cullum (2), Ella O’Regan (2), Ava Van Santen (2), Corine Bellavance, Jaime Dickson, Mistura Are, Grace Dingwall
Cons: Ava Ference (7), Megan Allard (3).
Botswana 0 (0)

Japan overcome USA in Pool A contest
Defending champions Japan began their campaign with a 26-12 victory over the USA.

Japan raced into a 14-0 lead through Suzuha Saito and Karin Tadano, before Tadano added her second try and Kano Hashimoto crossed to help establish a 21-7 half-time advantage.

Hinano Sugimoto provided a reliable kicking option, converting three times as Japan maintained their control.

The USA showed glimpses of attacking quality through Emma Buxton and Alyssa Cunningham, with Buxton and Paula Vincze scoring tries. But Japan’s patience and precision ultimately proved decisive.

Scorers:
Japan 26 (21)
Tries: Suzuha Saito, Karin Tadano (2), Kano Hashimoto
Cons: Hinano Sugimoto (3)
USA 12 (7)
Tries: Emma Buxton, Paula Vincze
Con: Morgan Cunningham

France lay down marker against hosts
France produced one of the most controlled performances of the day, defeating South Africa 34-0.

The French established their dominance through their set piece and structured approach, retaining possession and repeatedly testing the South African defence.

Iness Zeze was particularly influential, scoring two of France’s six tries, while Aimee Barthelemy, Enoe Neri, Iris Renaudin and Ilona Pedicone also crossed.

Margaux Dufros added two conversions as France made an early statement in Pool A.

Scorers:
France 34 (19)
Tries: Iness Zeze (2), Aimee Barthelemy, Enoe Neri, Iris Renaudin, Ilona Pedicone
Cons: Margaux Dufros (2)
South Africa 0 (0).

Canada maintains perfect record
Canada followed their opening-day demolition of Botswana with another convincing performance, defeating Ireland 35-7.

The Canadians established a 21-0 half-time lead through Jaime Dickson, Ava Van Santen and Ivy Poetker, with Van Santen crossing twice overall. Mistura Are added the fifth try.

Canada repeatedly opted for scrums when awarded penalties, using their set-piece strength to maintain pressure despite the blustery conditions.

Ava Ference was faultless off the tee, converting all five tries as Canada remained firmly in control.

Ireland managed a second-half response through Amy Larn, converted by Ellen O’Sullivan-Sexton, but Canada never looked in danger of surrendering their advantage.

Scorers:
Canada 35 (21)
Tries: Jaime Dickson, Ava Van Santen (2), Ivy Poetker, Mistura Are
Cons: Ava Ference (5)
Ireland 7 (0)
Try: Amy Larn
Con: Ellen O’Sullivan-Sexton

Australia unleashed attacking power against Botswana
Australia responded to their earlier defeat to Ireland with an emphatic 89-0 victory over Botswana.

Maronay Smuts led the scoring with five tries, while Leilani Hills added three. Reese Orcher and Jordan Jackson both crossed twice, with Kianna Maclean also getting on the scoresheet.

The Australians were simply too strong for Botswana, whose defence struggled to contain the pace, movement and finishing ability of their opponents.

Smuts and Hills were particularly influential, giving Australia two potent attacking options heading into the second day.

Scorers:
Australia 89 (40)
Tries: Maronay Smuts (5), Reese Orcher (2), Kianna Maclean, Leilani Hills (3), Jordan Jackson (2)
Cons: Bonnie Brewer, Abbi Spooner (11)
Botswana 0 (0)

France finish day on top of Pool A
France ended their opening day with a 25-5 victory over the USA to move to the top of Pool A.

Louen Laramy crossed twice, with Victoire Foulon, Lucie Condamines and Margaux Dufros also scoring as France turned a 15-5 half-time lead into a comfortable victory.

The wind played its part, particularly when long passes were affected, but France adapted better to the conditions and maintained their composure.

The result leaves France and Japan tied on six points at the top of Pool A, with the French side holding the superior points difference.

Scorers:
France 25 (15)
Tries: Victoire Foulon, Louen Laramy (2), Lucie Condamines, Margaux Dufros
USA 5 (5)
Try: Kate Muldoon

Japan close day with victory over hosts
Japan completed a perfect opening day with a 24-12 victory over South Africa in the final women’s match.

The defending champions established a 14-0 half-time lead through Yuina Yamamoto and Kaoru Fujiwara, before Ichika Kuki and Riko Kato added second-half tries.

Fujiwara and Hinano Sugimoto each converted as Japan maintained their advantage in the difficult conditions.

South Africa produced a spirited response, with Ankia Viljoen scoring before Siyonela Macamba produced arguably the home side’s moment of the day. Macamba ran more than 60 metres, showing impressive pace and strength to fend off defenders and race to the line.

Elme Kruger converted, but Japan held on to secure their second win and finish level with France on six points, with the Japanese holding the superior points difference.

Scorers:
Japan 24 (14)
Tries: Yuina Yamamoto, Kaoru Fujiwara, Ichika Kuki, Riko Kato
Cons: Hinano Sugimoto, Kaoru Fujiwara
South Africa 12 (0)
Tries: Ankia Viljoen, Siyonela Macamba
Con: Elme Kruger.