England Women’s Sevens team sealed Great Britain’s ticket to the Olympics next summer, thanks to a 15-14 victory over the USA at the World Series in Amsterdam.
The third-place playoff at the final World Series event of the season had turned into an astonishing winner-takes-all contest – the victor claiming the all-important fourth automatic qualifying spot for the return of rugby at the Rio Games.
Marlie Packer, Emily Scarratt and Joanne Watmore got the tries for England, after they had lost at the semi-final stage to runners-up Australia.
Simon Middleton’s side will join Australia, Canada and New Zealand in the competition, while the remaining teams will now have to go through regional qualifiers to secure the remaining eight spots.
The Rio Games will mark the first time rugby has been played at the Olympics since 1924, and it is the first time the seven-a-side version of the sport will grace the Olympic stage.
Team GB Chef de Mission Mark England said: "Congratulations to England's women on their tremendous victory over the USA team at the Amsterdam Sevens today.
“It is fantastic that Team GB fans can now look forward to seeing both a men's and women's rugby sevens team at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games next summer."
© Sportsbeat 2015