The 119 IRB member unions have until February 28 to formally express an interest to tender for the events.

The deadline for submitting formal tender submissions for hosting rounds of the Sevens World Series is June 27, before the IRB Executive Committee will officially select the 2015-2016 hosts in October.

Member unions interested in hosting the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 have until December 5 to submit their tender submissions, after which the winning bid will be selected at a meeting of the IRB's Council in May 2015.

The IRB says the dual tendering process follows a detailed strategic review of Rugby World Cup Sevens and the Sevens World Series hosting models.

Key overall considerations include growing hosting and participation opportunities for member unions, tournament format, increasing sevens-related global commercial model values along with the number of Sevens Series tournaments.

Launched in 1999, the Sevens World Series sees the top men's rugby sevens sides take part in a nine-round grand prix style tournament across a number of countries.

This season is the second edition of the Women's Sevens World Series with five events confirmed on the calendar.

Last year the IRB revealed broadcast figures for the 2012-2013 season reached a record 4,504 hours of airtime across 149 territories, while both the men's and women's series will be streamed online this year.

The 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai saw the tournament expanded to include a 16-team women's competition running alongside the men's event for the first time.

The Women's Rugby World Cup Sevens was run alongside the men's competition for the first time in Dubai in 2009 ©AFP/Getty Images