A total of 14 teams took part in the qualification tournaments.

None of the four teams coming from the first qualification tournament won any points.

Entries for the team events were decided after the final qualification tournament ended on 13 May 2012.

The top ten nations after a series of qualification tournaments will qualify.

It took its first attempt at the olympic gold in a qualification tournament.

Japan qualified a women's team by winning a qualification tournament.

The winners of each group advanced to the final qualification tournaments.

A final qualification tournament took place in 12 May 2012 to assign a further two places per gender.

This was the first time since 1998 where a qualification tournament was held.

Even where qualification tournaments took place the majority of rugby playing countries did not take part.