Charlotte Caslick has dominated in an emphatic return from injury to rugby, proving almost untouchable as Australia started the Sydney Sevens with a 33-0 win over Spain.

Back from a frustrating hamstring injury, the fleet-footed star ran 80 metres with her first touch, beating four defenders to score the game’s first try on Saturday morning.

She then set up Elia Green for two tries and added another herself, to cap a dominant first half at Parramatta’s Bankwest Stadium.

“I’ve been doing a lot of training back home and have been really conservative with my recovery so we definitely knew I was ready to go this weekend,” she said.

“After missing Sydney last year I was really excited for this weekend and the girls defended for a long time at the start there for me, so I got the ball fresh, which was great.”

Australia, ranked second in the current world series, have fielded their strongest squad in nearly two years for their home tournament, as they prepare for an Olympic gold medal defence in Tokyo seven months from now.

“We’re using this one as a real trial for Tokyo and it’s great to slowly get all the troops back and … it’s just great to see how strong our squad is and the depth we’ve got coming through,” Caslick said.

The hosts continue their pool stage against Ireland later on Saturday before a rematch with France on Sunday, who beat them for bronze in Hamilton last weekend.

Heavyweights New Zealand began their tournament with a 28-0 defeat of Japan, who had kept them scoreless in the first half.

And France thumped Ireland 40-14 to prove they will again pose problems in a pool where only the top side will progress to Sunday’s semi-finals.