Sally Pearson faster in France

Reigning Olympic champion Sally Pearson has improved her time by a third of a second in her second competitive hitout in the 100m hurdles following a year-long injury layoff.

Pearson clocked 12.92 seconds to finish fifth at a meet in Montreuil, France.

While the time was well shy of what will be required to contend for a medal at the Rio Olympics, it was still a big improvement on the 13.25 she clocked when making her much-anticipated comeback at the Diamond League meet in Birmingham on Sunday.

American Queen Harrison claimed victory in 12.61 with the aid of a 3.3m/s tailwind.

Pearson will be looking to go quicker again when she competes in the Oslo Diamond League on Thursday night (Friday morning AEST) in a race also featuring leading Americans Jasmin Stowers and Brianna Rollins.

Pearson has had to overcome serious wrist, calf and achilles injuries in the past 12 months.

The other Australians competing in Oslo are steeplechasers Genevieve LaCaze and Madeline Hills, Morgan Mitchell (400m), Ryan Gregson (1500m), Brett Robinson (5000m) and Hamish Peacock (javelin).