Stacey Flood hopes that Ireland women's Seven debut at the Olympic Games can resonate with the public and boost the game in the country.

A veteran of the team, Flood helped Ireland to qualify for the Games for the first time having seen two previous opportunities slip away.

With the World Series taking place across eight different venues around the globe and mostly only available to view online, the sport is largely hidden from the view of the casual fan.

Between the men’s and women’s sides, 24 of the more than 130-strong Team Ireland travelling party will be in Paris at the end of this month going for rugby Sevens gold.

The women’s tournament, where Ireland face Australia, Great Britain and South Africa in Pool B, takes place from 28-30 July at the Stade de France.

"We need to get the country behind Sevens a bit more and hopefully the Olympics does that for us," the 27-year-old told RTÉ Sport.

"It is a very hard sport to find to watch because it’s on in different times zones, it’s on rugbypass [TV] . Hopefully this gives it the platform to start growing in our country.

Stacey Flood has more than 50 Ireland Sevens caps to her name

"It is an incredible sport to watch, it’s gruesome to play but it’s so incredible to watch.

"The Irish fans would love it because it’s an outdoor party all day and you have an incredible sport to watch. It’s like a festival vibe.

"It’s so intense and it’s all those X factor moments from 15s put on to the rugby field, it’s short and sharp."

Flood represented the Dublin minor football team and has also played 15s for Ireland.

A win on the World Series in Perth last January has given the team belief that a podium finish is possible, however, they are reluctant to look too far ahead.

Currently training in Tours, France, the same base where Andy Farrell’s Ireland side prepared for the World Cup, the team will face USA on Thursday in a friendly game.

With just 11 days until they begin their campaign, the thrill of representing her country at the Olympics is clearly evident in Flood’s demeanour.

Stacey Flood is an ambassador for the Budweiser Aer Lingus College Football Classic, Dublin, 24 August

"It’s pretty exciting to have that opportunity," the Railway Union player continued.

"Just watching the Olympics, seeing all the athletes and how it can change a nation, a game can bring a nation together, sport is so special in that way.

"There are enough bad things going on in the world, it’s nice to have something to look forward to.

"When I was growing up watching the Olympics, Ireland were either boxers or long-distance runners. That’s what we saw.

"I love GAA, it’s your roots, it gives you your values in sport and in life when you are growing up and we are extremely lucky to have that.

The Ireland travelling squad for the Olympic Games

"With sports where you can represent your country, it just hits home differently and I think we are so lucky to have that opportunity to play and represent your country, and maybe inspire a handful of girls to play Sevens."

Flood is one of 12 players on Allan Temple-Jones' panel for the event with Meath footballer Vikki Wall one of the hopefuls that missed out on selection.

The double All-Ireland winner was a high-profile addition to the set-up and joined with the specific goal of making the Games.

Wall subsequently lined out for the Royals in their All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Kerry earlier this month and Flood is hopeful she will stick around for the next Olympic cycle.

Vikki Wall training with the Ireland squad earlier this month

"Vikki added massive value to the programme, on and off the field," said Flood, who last December became the third Irish woman to reach 50 Sevens caps.

"For someone to make that change and make it so publicly to a new sport is so brave and she’s been extremely inquisitive this year, trying to learn the game.

"It’s been incredible to watch her, seeing how she trains and how she conducts herself, how she has switched over to being a rugby player because that’s what she is.

"She is an amazing rugby player and I think if she had another few months, I’d back her all the way because she has come on leaps and bounds.

"Hopefully she stays around, and we can see her in the next Olympic cycle and the series next year because I think she is one to watch."

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