Ireland lost their opening match of the 2009 World Cup Sevens tournament which got underway earlier today in Dubai.
Ireland have lost their first match against Samoa by 35-5. Also this afternoon Australia defeated Portugal 24-12 in th other match in Ireland's group.
The International Rugby Board is using this week's event - which includes a 24-team men's competition and 16-team women's tournament - to showcase its Olympic campaign.
Rugby is competing with baseball and softball, golf, karate, squash and roller-sports for two places in the Olympic Games programme from 2016.
A fortnight ago, the IRB completed its 2016 programme review questionnaire in which it gave detailed answers to 80 questions from the IOC.
Now comes the practical assessment. Two International Olympic Committee delegates will be in Dubai in time to see Wales face Zimbabwe in the first match of the tournament.
