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International Rugby Board (IRB) president Bernard Lapasset has revealed that the decision to include rugby sevens in the Olympic Games has fuelled significant new interest in the game around the world.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) added rugby sevens to the Olympic programme five months ago and the sport will make its debut at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Lapasset, who led the IRB team in its Olympic inclusion campaign, said: "Not only has the popularity of rugby sevens further accelerated since the IOC's decision with visibly increased attendance and broadcast figures for the opening rounds of the 2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series, [but] we are also already witnessing significant developments in key new markets such as China and Russia.

"We are committed to ensuring that all our unions have access to a development and tournament pathway that optimises the effects of Olympic Games inclusion. We are encouraging our national unions to actively collaborate with their local governments and National Olympic Committees to develop strategies to foster the inclusion of rugby in school curriculums, as well as secure better funding for development programmes.

"We firmly believe that there are meaningful opportunities ahead and indeed have already witnessed positive results since October 2009 such as in Russia, where rugby programmes are being developed within schools and across the country, and in China and Brazil, where development programmes are being launched.”