Both nations are established names in the sport and are among the favourites to claim the sole spot available in the men's sevens competition in the Brazilian city this August.

With both sides in Group A it provided an early clash between two established teams and it was the Irish who prevailed, coming from 14-0 down to win 27-21 at Stade Louis II.

They also saw off Zimbabwe 24-12 and Tonga 31-12 to top the group ahead of tomorrow's quarter-finals.

The Samoans, the top ranked side from this year’s World Rugby Sevens Series not to have already qualified for Rio, are also into the knock-out stages after finishing second.

That came after a 26-0 rout of Tonga and a 21-7 win over Zimbabwe.

In Pool B, surprise package Germany topped the group ahead of Canada.

The European nation, who are not known for their rugby prowess, hammered Sri Lanka 41-5 in their first game and followed up by edging Uruguay 22-14.

Canada beat the Uruguayans 33-0 and Sri Lanka 57-0 to go into a clash with Germany to decide the table-toppers without conceding a point.

They were beaten 21-19, however, and had to settle for going through as runners-up.

Another unfamiliar rugby name in the last eight is Chile, who came through Pool C alongside Russia, at the expense of Tunisia and Morocco.

Spain and Hong Kong have advanced from Pool D with South Korea and Mexico exiting the competition.

The quarter-finals, semi-finals and final will be played tomorrow with only the competition winners advancing to Rio.

Ireland will play Spain in the last eight, with Russia meeting Canada.

Hong Kong are set to meet Samoa with Germany clashing with Chile.