Having finished in fifth place in 2016, and with just six of that year’s squad returning and four new caps, inexperience posed a challenge to the 12-strong squad as they headed when they started in Kosice last Saturday.

Saturday’s group games saw Luxembourg face Andorra, Slovenia and host team Slovakia.

“Things did not go well on Saturday: the first match was lost 28-5; Luxembourg played better against Slovenia, but still lost, somewhat unluckily, 19-12; there was another improvement in performance against Slovakia, but the match was lost 19-0,” Women’s manager for the Luxembourg Rugby Federation David Bacon said.

Luxembourg improved their game further in Sunday’s knock-out phase, winning 19-0 to Lithuania and then turning the tables on Slovakia to beat them 35-12. The effort secured Luxembourg ninth place in the tournament.

Photo: FLR. The Luxembourg women's sevens squad pose for a photo in Slovakia

“The challenge going forward will be to consolidate these last results, to continue to integrate the new players into the squad and to obtain a higher ranking in 2018,” Bacon said, adding: “The challenge going forward will be to consolidate these last results, to continue to integrate the new players into the squad and to obtain a higher ranking in 2018.”

The Players: Marguerite Anselin, Corinne Brever (Captain), Katrin Brever, Lina Chioato, Zoe Chioato, Michelle Clemens, Alix Gennen, Sidonie Hasse, Anouck Hombert, Anna Mawhinney, Jeanne Roland, Elisa Verwey.

The coaching team included JJ Oberst, Matthieu Bracchetti and Adrien Calmont.

The Luxembourg squad of 12 had players aged from 18 to 36, 9 Luxembourg nationals and 3 non-Luxembourg national residents (one French, one British and one New Zealander. Women’s rugby is played at Walferdange Rugby Club, who play in the Belgian League. Girls and women of all nationalities and abilities are welcome to play rugby in Luxembourg.