France Sevens: Ireland women beat hosts but lose to Australia as they chase Olympic spot

Ireland need to remain ahead of Fiji and Great Britain after this weekend's France Sevens to secure Olympic qualification

Ireland's women lost 33-12 against Australia after an earlier win over the hosts as they chased Olympic Games qualification at the France Sevens.

Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe's hat-trick of tries helped Ireland beat the hosts 27-7 in their first game in Toulouse.

But after leading Australia 12-7 at half-time, the Irish slipped to defeat.

Ireland need to stay in their current fifth position in the World Sevens table following this weekend's action in Toulouse to secure an Olympic spot.

The Ireland women are back in action against Brazil on Saturday morning at 09:43 BST when they will need to win to stay on course for a spot at the Paris Games.

The Irish will have to remain ahead of Fiji and Great Britain in the World Sevens standings by the conclusion of this weekend's tournament.

Both their rivals earned two opening wins on Friday Friday with Fiji hammering Spain 47-7 before accounting for Japan 26-14 while Great Britain followed a 19-12 victory over Japan by beating Spain 33-12.

Murphy Crowe notched two of her three tries in the first half against the hosts with Lucy Mulhall and Megan Burns also touching down.

In the evening match, tries from Mulhall and Stacey Flood put Ireland 12-7 ahead at half-time but they were held scoreless in the second half as the Aussies notched four unanswered tries.

Fourth-placed France are one place ahead of Ireland in the World Sevens table but are assured of a Games spot as hosts.