The International Rugby Board has announced the dates and qualifier process details for IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 in Dubai.

The Tournament, which will be the first to incorporate a women's RWC Sevens competition, will be held from March 5-7.

"The proposed dates in February for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 were reviewed at a recent Rugby World Cup Limited Board meeting with a view to maximising preparation time for the squads within the existing IRB Sevens World Series schedule," said International Rugby Board Chairman, Dr Syd Millar.

"It was agreed that in finalising the dates of March 5-7 the participating teams would have significant recovery, travel and preparation time after the conclusion of the San Diego IRB Sevens World Series Tournament which will take place on the penultimate weekend in February."

"These dates will further heighten interest in the Tournament. Rugby World Cup Sevens 2005 attracted a record 120,000 cumulative crowd and the 2009 Tournament promises to be a spectacular affair with the inclusion of the women's event. Indeed Dubai, with its proven track record in hosting major Sevens events, has a fantastic opportunity to stage the most successful Rugby World Cup Sevens Tournament ever," added Dr Millar.

The IRB has also announced details of the regional qualifying Tournaments that will provide the finalists for both the men's and women's competitions. Nine Unions will qualify directly for the men's Tournament (the eight quarter-finalists from 2005; Fiji, New Zealand, England, Australia, France, Scotland, Argentina and South Africa and the Host Union, the Arabian Gulf). A further 15 places will be filled via qualifiers in all six regions which will kick-off in January 2008.

Three qualifiers will come from Africa, two from North America, one from South America, two from Asia, five from Europe and two from Oceania. This will guarantee the presence of some teams not regularly seen on the IRB Sevens World Series circuit.

"These regional qualifying Tournaments are a very exciting prospect," said Dr Millar. "Dovetailing with the highly successful IRB Sevens World Series these Tournaments will ensure that there will be an unprecedented amount of elite level Sevens played during 2008 and 2009."

For the Women's Game the inclusion of new regional qualifying tournaments is an exciting development and will aid promotion of the women's Game. Like the men's qualification process Tournaments involving the 83 international women's teams will be held in all six regions with 16 teams qualifying for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 in Dubai.

Two qualifiers will come from Africa, two from North America, one from South America, three from Asia, six from Europe and two from Oceania. These Tournaments will provide an unprecedented level of Rugby Sevens for the women's Game supporting a key element of the Strategic Plan for women's Rugby launched in 2006.

"The inclusion of a Women's Rugby World Cup Sevens Tournament running alongside the men's in Dubai is an exciting development for the Women's Game. I am sure that the regional qualifying Tournaments will assist in raising the global profile of women's Rugby Sevens," concluded Dr Millar.