Madrid (AFP)

For its big comeback on the pitch for almost a year, the French women's rugby sevens team suffered a 12-24 setback against Russia on Saturday, but concluded this first day of the Madrid tournament with two successes, including a card against Kenya (63-5).

In this event which serves as a preparation for the Olympic qualifying tournament in Monaco in June, the Bleues du Sept started their day with an easy 43-0 success against the Spaniards at home in Madrid, and are in 3rd place behind the United States and the Russians.

In the men, no team of France, remained confined because of cases of Covid-19 in its ranks.

The United States recorded two easy wins against Portugal in the opening (38-17) then against Spain (33-5), but were surprised by the Argentines (17-24) in the shock of the day.

They dominate the standings at the end of the first day, ahead of the astonishing Kenyans, who signed two convincing successes against Portugal (38-5) and the host team (5-19).

The Madrid tournament marks the big comeback of international rugby sevens, which had disappeared since the paralysis of the World Series world circuit in early March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

A winner will be chosen for the men and the women at the end of the second day, Sunday.

Then another table will start with the same teams the following weekend (February 27-28).

Results of the 1st men's day of the Madrid tournament:

United States - Portugal, 38-17

Argentina - Spain, 40-12

Spain - United States, 5-33

Portugal - Kenya, 5-38

United States - Argentina, 17-24

Spain - Kenya, 5-19

Men's ranking: Pts JGNP pp pc dif

1. United States 7 3 2 0 1 88 46 42

2. Kenya 6 2 2 0 0 57 10 47

3. Argentina 6 2 2 0 0 64 29 35

4. Spain 3 3 0 0 3 22 92 -70

5. Portugal 2 2 0 0 2 22 76 -54

Results of the 1st women's day of the Madrid tournament:

United States - Poland, 40-0

Russia - Kenya, 43-0

Spain - France, 0-43

Kenya - United States, 7-29

France - Russia, 12-24

Poland - Spain, 26 - 7

France - Kenya, 63-5

Russia - Poland, 45-7

Spain - United States, 0-36

Ladies classification: Pts JGNP pp pc dif

1. United States 9 3 3 0 0 105 7 98

2. Russia 9 3 3 0 0 112 19 93

3. France 7 3 2 0 1 118 29 89

4. Poland 5 3 1 0 2 33 92 -59

5. Spain 3 3 0 0 3 7 105 -98

6. Kenya 3 3 0 0 3 12 135 -123

© 2021 AFP