Ireland Sevens star Terry Kennedy has warned any aspiring Olympians who are considering a switch from the XVs game that they need to commit to the programme or else they will "fall by the wayside".
Former World Rugby player of the year Antoine Dupont is set to forgo the Six Nations and some of the Top14 season to focus on France's gold medal bid at next summer's Paris Games.
Similarly, ex-Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper is also switching codes.
Former Meath footballer Vikki Wall has joined the Ireland Women's programme with a view to working her way into their squad for the tournament.
The double All-Ireland winner and former AFLW player has never played rugby before but is said to be adapting well and "ahead of schedule".
A number of Ireland internationals have come through the Sevens programme, including Hugo Keenan, Jimmy O'Brien, Rob Baloucoune and Nick Timoney, all name-checked by Ireland coach James Topping when he confirmed in mid-November that there have been talks within the the IRFU about contracted players coming on board.
While Ireland full-back Keenan all but ruled out a return as he focuses on Leinster's Champions Cup and URC campaigns, there remains the possibility that others could throw their hats in the ring.
Ireland, who qualified for the Olympics for the second time after winning the European Games in June begin their SVNS World Series tomorrow in Dubai.
Asked if he felt competition for the 13-man Olympic squad would be enhanced by someone making a late run for inclusion, Kennedy (below) said: "We’ve a really strong squad in here that have been around for a long time.
"It is a different sport, so I think if anyone is to make the move, they need to give ample time. Dupont is doing it for the year.
"Otherwise, they’ll just fall by the wayside.
"We’ve a really competitive squad in here already, a really strong squad that will put ourselves in a really good spot, no matter what.
"I don’t know [what the reaction would be among the current squad].
"I think it would be down to an individual.
"We want to make sure that we put Ireland in as good a place as possible to get a medal at the next Olympics in Paris.
"Whatever that entails, we know that we have the squad here already to do so and that's what we're concentrating on at the moment."
Whether or not anyone parachutes into contention, the Dupont news has undoubtedly been a massive boost for the minority sport.
"I think it just shows where the sport is at the moment," says Jack Kennedy, who won a Leinster cap in 2018 and was in the Ireland team that won bronze at the Rugby World Cup Sevens last year.
"We're definitely an emerging sport and being now an Olympic sport has definitely drawn a lot of attention to it.
"I think players like Antoine or any of the other players, they see an opportunity to become an Olympian, which is an incredible feat. I can understand why they make that decision.
"We love challenging ourselves against some of the best players. If it means that Paris is attracting the best players, then we’re very excited about that."
Kennedy, the 2022 World Rugby Sevens player of the year, added: "It’s brilliant for the game.
"Especially with the Olympics being in France. Talking to a couple of people who were over at the World Cup, just in terms of how well renowned he is over there among the French public and not just even the rugby public.
"It will bring plenty of new eyes to the game and it’s something that can only be good for the game really."
The fact that no elite Sevens tournaments takes place in Ireland is another challenge when it comes to the profile of the sport among the Irish public.
"It's a bit disappointing that we don’t [get to host], but that’s the nature of the World Series," said 25-year-old Kennedy, who had taken some time off to work in Australia.
"This year there is only eight tournaments around the world, so they spread it out.
"Hopefully at some stage in the future Ireland will be able to host Sevens events because I think it would really kick off.
"I think the public would buy into it. If it was something that could happen in the future, that would be great."
Kelly added: "We’d absolutely love the opportunity to play in front of a home crowd. We’re very lucky that we have friends, family that follow us around the world all the time.
"We’re also lucky that the Irish diaspora is incredible. When we go to Sydney, there is a big part of that stadium that is wearing green.
"That’s a very special thing for us, that we can bring those communities out and give them something to cheer for and just think of back home. Certainly for us it would be incredible if we could play in front of an Irish crowd."
Ireland Men are in Pool B, alongside Australia, Argentina and Spain, for the opening event at the weekend, while the Ireland Women meet Brazil, Japan and Australia in Pool B.
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