Ireland's men's rugby sevens team have qualified for next year's Rugby Sevens World Cup ©Rugby Sevens World Cup

Ireland will have both a male and female team compete at next year’s Rugby Sevens World Cup for the first time in the Irish Rugby Football Union's history.

Ireland have competed in five previous men’s World Cup tournaments in 1993, 1997, 2001, 2005 and 2009.

The women's team made their World Cup debut in Russian capital Moscow four years ago when the men were absent.

San Francisco in the United States will host the event with competition set to take place between July 20 and 22 at AT&T Park.

The men made it through to San Francisco courtesy of a third place finish at final leg of the Rugby Europe Sevens Grand Prix Series in Exeter.

Their only defeat of the weekend saw them lose 15-12 to Wales in a closely-fought semi-final, before they went on to seal the bronze medal match against Portugal 33-12.

Russia were victorious in Exeter and also sealed their place at the World Cup ©Rugby Sevens World Cup
Russia were victorious in Exeter and also sealed their place at the World Cup ©Rugby Sevens World Cup

A third place finish saw them take second in the overall European series standings, which sealed their World Cup place.

Russia also confirmed their spot at the tournament after defeating Wales in the final.

That saw them crowned overall European series champions.

New Zealand, England, Fiji, Kenya, South Africa, Wales, Australia, France, Canada, Argentina, Samoa and Scotland, as well as the hosts, had already qualified for the men’s event.

The remaining nine nations in the 24-team tournament will be decided by virtue of regional qualifying tournaments in Africa, North America, South America, Asia and Oceania.