Ireland’s men stayed on target for a place in the main draw of next year, when they won the first of their 5/10 position playoffs at the European Squash Team Championships in Rennes yesterday.

While Australia won the title for a record seventh time, England beat an injury-hit Scotland 3-0 to retain the bronze medal at the world team championships in Melbourne today.

Ireland lost 3-0 to Canada to miss out on a quarter-final place in the World Championships in Melbourne, Australia.