Rugby Premier League Kicks Off June 1 with Six Teams and 30 International Stars
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Synopsis
The inaugural Rugby Premier League (RPL) will feature 30 international stars, including Perry Baker and Rosko Speckman, competing in Mumbai from June 1 to 15, 2025. This historic event aims to elevate rugby's profile in India.
Key Takeaways
- Rugby Premier League launches in Mumbai.
- Features marquee players from global rugby nations.
- Matches will be broadcasted on Star Sports.
- Coaches include renowned figures from international rugby.
- Platform for Indian players to compete with global talent.
Mumbai, April 4 (NationPress) Some of the leading figures in Rugby 7s, including Perry Baker from the United States, a two-time World Rugby 7s Player of the Year and three-time Olympian, alongside Rosko Speckman from South Africa, a two-time Olympic bronze medalist, will be part of the 30 elite players gracing the six franchises of the inaugural Rugby Premier League (RPL), set to take place in Mumbai from June 1 to 15, 2025.
The event will occur at the Mumbai Football Arena in suburban Andheri, marking the launch of the world’s first city-based franchise rugby league. This league will showcase top Indian talent alongside international stars in the fast-paced Rugby 7s format, akin to T20 cricket.
Rugby India is collaborating with GMR Sports to bring forth this league, which has received endorsement and support from World Rugby, the global governing body for the sport. They have created a special window at the end of the international season, allowing the best talents in rugby to secure contracts in India.
The inaugural RPL season will be aired on Star Sports and will be available for live streaming on Jio HotStar. With the backing of World Rugby, the league has engaged esteemed foreign coaches and support staff for the franchises.
The six franchises introduced are: Bengaluru Bravehearts, Chennai Bulls, Delhi Redz, Hyderabad Heroes, Kalinga Black Tigers, and Mumbai Dreamers.
RPL has enlisted 30 marquee international players from powerhouse Rugby 7s nations such as New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Fiji, Argentina, Great Britain, Ireland, the USA, and Spain.
Each team will consist of five international players, five domestic players, and three players from bridge nations—countries that are ranked in the second and third tiers of the global rugby hierarchy.
Matches will last 16 minutes, divided into four quarters, with stoppages for transgressions, decisions, and injuries, resulting in a total match duration of 23 to 30 minutes.
"This league has been six years in the making, and we prioritized doing it right. The first significant development came thanks to World Rugby, which provided us a 15-day window during which no international Rugby 7s matches would be played worldwide, making top global players available to us," stated Rahul Bose, actor and former India captain, during a press conference.
"From partnering with GMR Sports to create optimal conditions for both domestic and international players, to selecting dedicated team owners and securing a top broadcasting partner in Jio Hotstar, it has been an incredible journey. Rugby 7s is among the most captivating sports on television today," added Bose, who was part of India's first international rugby team in the late 1990s.
The Rugby Premier League has also recruited world-renowned rugby coaches to mentor the teams, including Mike Friday (Former USA 7s Head Coach), Ben Gollings (Legend of England 7s, Former Fiji 7s Head Coach), DJ Forbes (New Zealand 7s Icon), Tomasi Cama (New Zealand 7s Coach and Legend), Paco Hernandez (Spain 7s Coach), and Tim Walsh (Australia Women’s 7s Coach).
The league will also feature 30 Indian players selected from an auction pool of 71, offering them a unique platform to compete alongside global legends.
On Friday, the RPL held a draft to allocate marquee players to teams. Rahul Bose mentioned that marquee players could earn between USD 10,000 to 20,000 during the league.
An auction for top Indian players saw Mohit Khatry, captain of the Indian Rugby 7s team, go for INR 4.5 lakh.
"Many are unaware that rugby is played in over 300 of India's 750 districts. Although it doesn't often feature in mainstream media, in those 300 villages, someone will surely raise their hand when rugby is mentioned," concluded Bose.
