Rugby India, the National Governing Body for the sport in India, proudly presents the Rugby Premier League (RPL)—the world’s first franchise-based Rugby 7s league. The tournament will take place in Mumbai at the Brihanmumbai Kreeda Ani Lalitkala Prarthisthan Andheri Sports Complex (Mumbai Football Arena, MFA) from June 1 to June 15, 2025.
Rugby Premier League (RPL) is set to revolutionize the sport in India
The Rugby Premier League (RPL) is set to revolutionize the sport in India, featuring the best of global and Indian rugby talent. With an exclusive window on the global Rugby 7s calendar, the league has attracted the sport's biggest stars. The RPL will showcase 34 matches over 15 days, broadcast live on Star Sports and JioHotstar, and feature six city-based franchises representing major Indian cities, including Bengaluru Bravehearts, Chennai Bulls, Delhi Redz, Hyderabad Heroes, Kalinga Black Tigers, and Mumbai Dreamers.
Star-Studded International Lineup
RPL will welcome 30 marquee international players from powerhouse Rugby 7s nations, including Argentina, South Africa, Kenya, Great Britain, New Zealand, Australia, Spain, Fiji, USA, and Ireland. Some of the biggest names in the sport include:
● Perry Baker, USA - 2X World Rugby 7s player of the year, 3X Olympian
● Rosko Speckman, South Africa - 2 X Olympian - 2XBronze
● Harry McNulty, Ireland - 2X Olympian + 2X Rugby World Cup Medalist
● Terry Kennedy, Ireland - World Rugby 7s Player of the year 2022, World Series Top Try Scorer 2022 and 2024
● Patrick Odongo, Kenya - Represented Kenya at the Paris Olympics
● Jordan Conroy, Ireland - 2 X Olympian, World Rugby Sevens Series and RWC7s Medalist
● Alex Davis, Great Britain - England 7s, Olympian
● Lucas Lacamp, USA - Olympian
● Tone Ng Shiu - New Zealand – Olympian, 2019 NZ Rugby 7s Player of the Year, Bronze, 2022 Commonwealth Games
● Aaron Cummings, USA - Olympian
● Scott Curry, New Zealand - 4 time New Zealand 7s player of the year, 3X Commonwealth games medalist, Silver 2021 Olympics, 6 X World Rugby Sevens Series Champion & RWC 7s Gold
● Lucian Gonzalez - Argentina -Bronze 2024 Paris Olympics, World Sevens Series Champs 2023, HSBC World Svns Dream Team
● Santiago Mare -Argentina- Bronze 2024 Paris Olympics,World Sevens Series Champs 2023
● Joaquim Pellandini - Argentina - Bronze 2024 Paris Olympics, World Sevens Series Champs 2023
● Matteo Grazziano - Argentina -Bronze 2024 Paris Olympics, World Sevens Series Champs 2023
● Mattias Osadczuk - Argentina - Bronze 2024 Paris Olympics, World Sevens Series Champs 2023, HSBC World Svns Dream Team
● Akuila Rokolisoa, New Zealand- Olympian, Gold, RWC 7s 2018, Bronze, 2022 Commonwealth Games
● Alejandro Laforga - Spain - Olympian. Active player on the Spanish National 7s Team on the Series. Spain World Ranking - #2
● Pol Pla - Spain - Olympian. Active player on the Spanish National 7s Team on the Series. Spain World Ranking - #2
● Manuel Moreno - Spain- Olympian. Active player on the Spanish National 7s Team on the Series. Spain World Ranking - #2
● Joseva Talacolo - Fiji - Oceania Games Champions 2021, Common Wealth Games Silver 2022, RWC Gold 2022, 2024 Olympics Silver
● Iowane Teba - Fiji - 2024 Olympics Silver, World Series Dubai, Singapore & Toulouse Gold
● Terio Veilawai -Fiji - 2024 Olympic Silver, World Series Singapore, Dubai, Hong Kong Gold
● Filipe Sauturaga - Fiji - 2022 Commonwealth Games Silver , 2024 Olympic Games Silver, RWC Gold
● Joji Nasova - Fiji - 2024 Olympic Games Silver, Dubai 7s Gold
● Regan Ware, New Zealand – Olympian, Bronze – 2022 Commonwealth Games, Silver, RWC 7s
● Waisea Nacuqu-Fiji - 2020 Olympic Games Gold, 2024 Olympic Games Silver, World Series Gold 2018 & 2019, 2022 Commonwealth Games Silver, RWC Gold
● Henry Hutchison - Australia- 3X Olympian, 2015 World Rugby Rookie of the Year
● Maurice Longbottom - Australia - 2X Olympian
● James Turner - Australia-Olympian
Additionally, 18 international players from Canada, Hong Kong, and Germany will feature, enhancing the league’s competitive depth.
Speaking on this path-breaking development, Mr Rahul Bose, President of Rugby India, added: "This is a league that’s been six years in the making, but we wanted to do everything right. The first extraordinary development came thanks to World Rugby, who gave us a 15-day window in which no international rugby 7s would be played anywhere in the world. This made the best global rugby players available to us. From there to partnering with GMR Sports and creating the best conditions for both the international players as well as our Indian players; choosing some of the most intelligent, committed team owners and getting a top-class broadcast partner in JioStar, it’s been a helluva ride. Rugby 7s is one of the most attractive television sports in modern history. Welcome, India and the world, to the Rugby Premier League.”