Great Britain women on course to seal Rio Olympics qualification

Britain's Ruby Harrold competes in the uneven bars

Great Britain's women are in a strong position to make the team final - and with it the Rio Olympics - after their qualification session at the Gymnastics World Championships in Glasgow.

The six British women posted a combined total of 227.162, second to Russia, after the first of two qualifying days.

The top eight teams after Saturday make Tuesday's team final and this would allow GB to take a full team to Rio.

Russia top the standings after posting 231.437, with Italy third.

Amy Tinkler, who turns 16 on 27 October, and Ruby Harrold, were the strongest overall GB performers with totals of 56.466 and 56.398 respectively - scores which could also put them in the individual all-around final.

"That was an amazing experience, I'm really happy - mainly of course for the team but also with my own performance in my first ever World Championships," she said.

Gold medal star Claudia Fragapane had an early scare but went on to produce a stylish display

"I thought I'd be nervous but the crowd were so supportive and loud it made it amazing fun.

However, Ellie Downie's chances of making that final faded after two errors on her final uneven bars routine.

Her elder sister Becky also faltered on the same apparatus, historically her strongest one, and is out of the reckoning for that final.

The younger Downie, however, could yet make the vault final, while Becky (beam) and Claudia Fragapane (floor) may also be able to challenge for individual honours.

Fragapane, who delighted the crowds with four gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow last summer, suffered a shock early fall but recovered to post 14.600.

On Saturday, China and defending world champions USA undertake their qualifying sessions.

Four more teams can qualify for Rio at a test event in April.