Ireland players welcome but must earn Sevens place, says James Topping

Ireland Men's Sevens coach James Topping says he would welcome players from the 15s team but has warned that there’s no easy way into his Olympic Games squad.

Both the Ireland men’s and women’s teams will be in action in Paris next summer having wrapped up qualification earlier this year.

Former Meath and North Melbourne footballer Vikki Wall has been parachuted into the women's programme with the aim of featuring in France.

And the news that France captain Antoine Dupont and former Australia skipper Michael Hooper will also switch codes in order to go for gold has opened up the possibility that more will follow.

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen said the province would be "open-minded" about facilitating potential switches, while Hugo Keenan, who spent almost three years in the Sevens programme but is now an Ireland regular, said it would be "cool" but his focus is on regaining the Champions Cup this season.

Topping last week named a 19-man squad for the upcoming World SVNS Series, which begins in Dubai at the start of December.

The side will play eight tournaments and finish up at the Grand Finals in Madrid in May. After that it’s all eyes on Paris and a shot at the podium, which Topping says is "definitely" the goal.

Asked if he would rule out getting any players from outside the current roster involved, Topping, capped eight times by Ireland between 1996 and 2003, told RTÉ Sport: "No. No. Absolutely not.

"Now that players are growing up seeing an Olympic Games, there is some sort of target they can look at.

"I have lots of phone calls coming in from guys who are keen to have a crack, see what they can do.

"Professional players now, the way they operate, I think they want to play 15-a-side first and foremost for Ireland and that’s