The six leg Series will begin in Dubai alongside the men's event on December 1 and 2, before heading to Australian soil for the first time for the Sydney Sevens on February 3 and 4, which will again see both genders compete at the same time.

Japan will then host a leg of the flagship women's competition for the first time in Kitakyushu on April 22 and 23, with Victoria in Canada then staging a tournament on May 27 and 28.

The climax to the season will again be in Clermont-Ferrand in France on June 24 and 25, with one more tournament still to be confirmed for the schedule.

The Sydney event will serve as a celebratory homecoming for the Australian team, who won the Olympic title in Rio this month as sevens made its debut at the Games.

Australia are also the defending World Rugby Women's Sevens Series champions, breaking the monopoly of New Zealand who won the first three-editions.

Japan will host the men's Rugby World Cup in the 15-a-side game in 2019 so their event will be a chance to demonstrate their hosting credentials.

World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said: "The HSBC World Rugby Women's Sevens Series has grown rapidly since its inaugural year in 2012-13 and we are already seeing the benefits from its inclusion in the Olympic Games as millions of sports fans around the world have engaged and remarked upon the outstanding sporting spectacle that is women's sevens.

"Combining a women's event with the men's tournament in Sydney as well as a new venue in Kitakyushu will add to already established tournaments like Dubai, Victoria and Clermont-Ferrand. 

"I look forward to seeing more and more women and girls get involved in the game and enjoy these fantastic tournaments over the 2016-17 season."

Noriyuki Sakamoto, the chairman of the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU), said his organisation was "honoured" to be names as a host.

"We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the host city of Kitakyushu for its cooperation and commitment," he said.

"Tokyo previously hosted a leg of the men's series and that experience will be important as we prepare to hold a successful women's tournament.

"While it is regrettable that Japan women's team lost their core status for the 2016-17 series, the players are already preparing to come back stronger. 

"The JRFU will also work on continued development of rugby sevens in Japan to ensure our players can compete consistently at the highest level.”