World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont believes the Rio Olympic sevens tournament can be the catalyst for emerging nations to follow Japan's lead and embrace the sport of rugby.
Rugby makes its return to Olympic competition after a 92-year absence when the women's competition kicks off at Deodoro Stadium on Saturday, with the faster, more dynamic sevens format replacing the traditional 15-man game.
Japan has been riding a wave of public interest in rugby since the national team won three games at last year's World Cup in England, and Beaumont believes the excitement generated by the Olympic tournament can provide the spark for other nations to follow suit.