The second leg of the HSBC World Rugby Women's Sevens Series 2018 in Sydney started in style as the trio went unbeaten on an action-packed day one.

Hosts Australia achieved a clean-sweep of victories, without conceding a single try, to set up a quarter-final encounter with Spain.

New Zealand's three wins sets up a meeting with Ireland while Canada will play France.

USA and Russia complete the last eight and with the quarter-finals starting on Saturday at 09:44 am local time (22:00 GMT Friday).

The Challenge Trophy semi-finals are England v Papua New Guinea and Japan v Fiji.

Australia entered the tournament off the back of a victory in Dubai and despite impressing co-captain Sharni Williams wants further improvement on day two

"A few balls have gone to ground and that's not us, that's not our clinical style," she said. "So we're a bit hard on ourselves but you've got to be hard on yourselves to be at the top."

With the Rugby World Cup Sevens just over six months away in San Francisco teams will not only be battling it out for the HSBC Sydney Sevens title but also crucial Rugby World Cup Sevens seedings points that will determine the draw for the tournament.

VIEW WOMEN'S RESULTS FROM DAY ONE >>>

POOL A

France started the day with a 50-0 victory over Papua New Guinea and followed that up with a 22-0 win over neighbours Spain.

Hosts Australia, scored within the opening minute of their 29-0 victory over Spain, and after nine months out Ellia Green marked her return to rugby with a five-pointer. 

Eight tries against Papua New Guinea came next for the 2018 series leaders before they finished day one in a pool decider against France. 

In front of their home fans Australia put on a show as Ellia Green signed off day one by scoring three of their seven tries. The 43-0 victory also meant that they kept a clean-sheet from start to finish however France's two other victories booked their quarter-final spot. 

POOL B

Pool B started with a seven-try thriller between England and USA. 

Jessica Breach announced herself back onto the HSBC World Rugby Women's Sevens Series by showing her electric pace and duly scored a brace. Naya Tapper notched up a hat-trick but it wasn’t enough as James Bailey's side prevailed 28-24. 

However England then came unstuck against New Zealand and against a determined and Japanese outfit.

New Zealand's opener saw them run out 48-7 victors over Japan with World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year 2017, Portia Woodman, scoring four tries. 

The Black Ferns Sevens' second and third victories, over England and the USA, saw them accumulate 64 points and Woodman finished day on a staggering ten tries.

POOL C

The defending Sydney sevens champions Canada set their stall out early with a 24-12 win over Fiji. 

Brittany Benn scored two of their four tries and they backed that up with a victory of the same scoreline over Ireland with Benn crossing again.  

Russia built into their first game against Ireland with Elena Zdrokova scoring the pick of their tries. Andrey Kuzin’s side also navigated their way through a tricky encounter with Fiji 19-12 to set up their pool decider with Canada. 

When it came to the clash, Ghislaine Landry scored nine of Canada's 19 points to set up their quarter-final meeting with France.  

Ireland and Fiji were involved in a hard-fought contest for third and a dogged Irish outfit grasped a late victory through Audrey O’Flynn to progress into the Cup quarter-finals.

MEN'S 

As the sun set in Sydney eight men's matches started the third leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series with the Blitzboks, New Zealand and Australia impressing. 

In Pool C defending series champions racked up a half-century of points against Papua New Guinea. New Zealand were in a clinical mood against Russia and ran in nine tries in Pool A whilst Fiji prevailed over Samoa. 

VIEW MEN'S RESULTS DAY ONE >>>

The other Pool C clash saw England start their campaign with a 22-10 victory and both France and Argentina opened their accounts with victories in Pool B.

Australia and the USA were involved in the toughest tussle of day one with the hosts prevailing 26-19 thanks to Tim Anstee's length-of-the-field try and Scotland finished the day on a high note with a 52-2 victory over Canada.