England's chances of lifting their first ever Sevens World Series title were dealt a huge blow in their home tournament, the Emirates Airline London Sevens.

Following a shock 21-14 defeat to France, England could only manage a 12-12 draw with Argentina in the final match of day one as they failed to reach the Cup quarter finals for the first time this season.

France added to their victory against England, their first since 2008, with a win against Al Caravelli's USA to reach the Cup quarter finals for the first time since the 2009 London Sevens.

Current Series leaders New Zealand finished the day as one of three teams with 100% records, the others being last year's champions Australia and Fiji, in front of a record breaking 54,357 strong crowd at Twickenham, and look set to clinch their ninth World Series title on day two.

Cup quarter finals:
New Zealand v Argentina
Fiji v Samoa
Australia v South Africa
France v Wales

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Record smashed on day one at Twickenham



Pool A: NZL, WAL, KEN, ESP

Current Series leaders New Zealand maintained their 100% record on day one after beating Wales 31-12. Tries from Solomon King, DJ Forbes, Tomasi Cama, Buxton Popoalii and Scott Curry ensured they finished as Pool A winners and will now face Argentina in the first Cup quarter final on day two.

They began their campaign against Kenya and despite captain Humphrey Kayange giving his side an early lead, tries from Tim Mikkelson, Frank Halai, Bryce Heem and King cemented a 28-12 victory.

Gordon Tietjens' side will now look to win their first London Sevens since 2007 and take a step closer to their ninth World Series crown in 12 years.

In their second match six different players scored the six tries in a 40-7 victory against Spain, but one of the biggest cheers on day one was for Martin Heredia, who scored Spain's only try in the match. 

Reigning Rugby World Cup Sevens champions Wales recorded 33-10 and 29-12 victories against Spain and Kenya and they will now face France in the Cup quarter finals.

Ignacio Martin, Pedro Martin and Javier Canosa all scored for Spain in the penultimate Pool A match as they defeated Kenya 17-7. The two sides met in the Hong Kong Sevens Shield final with Kenya winning in sudden death extra time, but the Spanish avenged that loss at Twickenham to finish third in the pool and will face USA in the Bowl competition.

Pool B: ENG, ARG, USA, FRA

France finished day one as Pool B winners following their dramatic 21-14 and 24-17 victories over hosts England and USA respectively. 

Having earlier lost to Argentina 28-15 in their first match thanks to two tries from Diego Palma, France bounced back to shock the Twickenham crowd and now face Wales on day two.

Ben Gollings scored both of England's two tries in their match with France but could not prevent their European rivals snatching the victory following second half tries from Steve Barry, Paul Albaladejo and captain Mathieu Acebes proving decisive.

Earlier, three second half tries from Dan Norton ensured the hosts came from 21-14 down to record a 31-21 victory against USA in their first match. Gollings and Tom Powell had given the hosts a 14-0 lead before Matt Hawkins, Paul Emerick and Shalom Suniula crossed for Caravelli's side, but it was Norton's pace out wide that proved the difference.

Justin Boyd had left Pool B wide open after he scored a last minute try against Argentina to clinch a 22-21 victory, but they now face Spain on day two. England meet Kenya in the Bowl competiton.

Bowl quarter finals:
Spain v USA
Portugal v Scotland
Canada v Russia
England v Kenya

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Pool C: SAM, AUS, SCO, CAN

Last year's London Sevens winners Australia came from behind once again on day one to snatch a 21-20 victory against reigning World Series champions Samoa.

Henry Vanderglas scored after the buzzer had sounded, before Hamish Angus held his nerve to kick the decisive conversion. Earlier, captain Bernard Foley helped his side defeat Canada 19-14 in the second match of day one, having trailed 14-7 at half time before Greg Jeloudev then broke Scottish hearts with his try in a 24-21 victory as Australia recovered from 21-0 down in the first half.

Stephen Betham's Samoa recorded a 38-24 victory in their second match of day one against Geraint John's Canada after getting their campaign off to a winning start in the first match of the day, beating next week's hosts Scotland 19-15. Tom Iosefo scored the first try of day one, before Alatasi Tupou crossed twice for the Pacific Islanders.

In the penultimate Pool C match, Ciaran Hearn and Sean Duke helped Hong Kong Sevens Bowl winners Canada finish third heading into tomorrow's Bowl competition, scoring two tries each in their 25-15 victory against Scotland.

Pool D: RSA, FIJ, RUS, POR

The two Cup finalists from the USA Sevens, South Africa and Fiji, both reached the Cup quarter finals in London following respective victories over Hong Kong Sevens Cup quarter finalists Russia and Portugal.

However, the runners-up from Las Vega, Fiji, top the pool after they avenged that defeat with a 12-7 victory over Paul Treu's side and will now face a Cup quarter final with Pacific island rivals Samoa.

Earlier, Treu's side avoided a shock in the third match of the day, having trailed 7-5 at half time against Russia, before Fiji also avoided a first ever loss to Portugal with Joteli Lutumailagi scoring after the buzzer had sounded in the 24-21 victory, despite having had a man sent off.

In their second match Joe Savou, returning as the Fiji coach, guided his side to a 41-0 victory against Russia thanks to a hat-trick from debutant Livai Ikanikoda, while Branco du Preez scored two of South Africa's four tries in their 22-7 victory against Portugal.

David Mateus snatched a dramatic 12-12 draw with Russia in the penultimate Pool D match to ensure Tomaz Morais' side finished third and will face Scotland on day two in the Bowl quarter finals.