USA rugby teams qualify for Rio Olympics

DUBLIN (AP) Ninety-two years after they clinched Olympic gold, U.S. rugby players will be defending their title at the 2016 Games in Rio.

USA's men's and women's teams both qualified for the Olympic debut of rugby sevens at next summer's Games after winning the NACRA North America Rugby Sevens titles on Sunday.

The last time rugby featured at the Olympics - in the 15-a-side version of the game - was in Paris in 1924, when the United States won gold. They also won the Olympic title in 1920.

World rugby president Bernard Lapasset said ''having both teams competing on sport's biggest stage will take our exciting game to new audiences and inspire new participants. It could be a game-changer.''

Seven-a-side rugby will feature at the 2016 Olympics for the first time.