Merchant is England's hat-trick hero (From Worcester News)

Merchant is England's hat-trick hero

5:40pm Monday 15th October 2012 in Sport By Tom Guest, @tomguestWN #WENsport

KAT Merchant, Worcester Rugby Club’s England international winger, scored a hat-trick of tries in the final of the France International Sevens as the Red Rose side made a winning start to their sevens season at the Centre National de Rugby in Marcoussis.

Prolific try-scorer Merchant bagged eight tries in total as England went on to lift the title despite head coach Barry Maddocks having named a relatively inexperienced squad.

After finishing day one with wins over Spain, Holland, Germany and France ‘A’, England - alongside France - topped the table. England and France then met in the final pool game of the tournament knowing that they were also likely to meet in the final.

England put down their marker with a fine start to the day, defeating France 21-5 in the first match and therefore heading into the final full of confidence.

France, however, were in better form for the final match, holding England to a 12-7 lead at half-time. Merchant scored England’s first try and she soon matched and bettered that effort in the second-half, running in another two scores.

With Merchant’s three tries converted England took control and France had no answer as the visitors triumphed 19-14.