The European neighbours will meet in the first game of the rugby sevens competition at the Deodoro Stadium in the Brazilian city, in a Pool B clash on August 6.

Sevens is making its debut on the Olympic stage, with 15-a-side rugby union last appearing on the Olympic stage in Paris 92 years ago.

All 12 countries involved in the women's tournament will play two matches on the opening day of competition, which comes just a day after the Opening Ceremony.

New Zealand and Kenya will join France and Spain in Group B, with Australia, United States, Fiji and Colombia contesting Pool A.

Hosts Brazil will begin their campaign with an interesting looking clash against Great Britain in Group C, with Canada and Japan completing Pool C.

The top two sides from each pool, plus the two best third-place teams, will progress to the quarter-finals.

The final pool matches will be played on August 7, with the women's quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals played a day later when the medals will be decided.

The schedule for the men's competition has also been confirmed, with France again involved in the first game which will be against fellow rugby heavyweights Australia in Pool B.

This will take place on August 9, a day after the women's finals, with each side again playing two matches on the opening day.

Spain and South Africa will also compete in Pool B, with Brazil beginning against World Rugby Sevens Series champions Fiji in their first match in Pool A.

They will be joined by United States and Argentina, with New Zealand, Britain, Kenya and Japan featuring in Pool C.

World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said: "We are almost there. 

"Rugby is about to make Olympic history and, after a break of 92 years, the sport is ready to return to the programme at Rio 2016 for what we are hoping will be one of the highlights of these Games.

"Rugby sevens is a fast, thrilling sport that is capturing the imaginations of millions of people around the world and it is exciting to think that millions more fans will be created when the men's and women's events are beamed globally to new audiences one month from now.

"With the confirmation of the match schedules, now the players and fans know when each game is taking place and they can prepare accordingly. 

"It really helps to bring the whole thing a little closer and it ramps up the anticipation even more.”

The full schedule for the men's tournament can be found here with the schedule for the women's tournament here.