Kenya 7s speedster Patrick Odongo has made history after being the only Kenyan player picked to feature in the new Rugby Premier League (RPL) set to become the world’s first franchise-based rugby sevens league, with HSBC SVNS Series stars set to take part.
The new Rugby Premier League competition scheduled to launch in June is a brainchild of Rugby India who made the landmark announcement that will “redefine the future” of rugby sevens on Saturday.
Odongo, who currently tops the Kenya 7s try-scoring charts in the HSBC SVNS Series 2025 campaign with 18 tries, will join veterans like Perry Baker, Rosko Specman and Scott Curry, who will come out of retirement as they join a group of 30 world-class marquee international players.
Argentina’s Luciano Gonzalez and Akuila Rokolisoa from the All Blacks Sevens are two of the other current stars in the Series set to take part.
Athletes from nations including Argentina, South Africa, Great Britain, Spain, USA, New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and Ireland have also put their names forward and will be drafted into one of six teams that will play 34 matches over 15 days.
About Rugby Premier League
The Rugby Premier League will become the world’s first franchise-based rugby sevens league, with HSBC SVNS Series stars set to take part.
The tournament will be held at Mumbai Football Arena from June 1 to June 15, 2025.
Major Indian cities will be represented with Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bhubaneswar the six city-based franchises.
The teams are Bengaluru Bravehearts, Chennai Bulls, Delhi Redz, Hyderabad Heroes, Kalinga Black Tigers and the Mumbai Dreamers.
With the support of World Rugby, this ground-breaking tournament will take place during a gap in the global rugby sevens calendar which ensures the world’s best are able to participate alongside India’s finest rugby talent.
“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 a 15-day window in which no international rugby sevens would be played anywhere in the world,” Rahul Bose, President of Rugby India, said in a statement.
“This made the best global rugby players available to us. From there to be 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 JiaStar, it’s been a helluva ride.
“Rugby sevens is one of the most attractive television sports in modern history. Welcome, India and the world, to the Rugby Premier League.”
Coaches selected for Rugby Premier League
Rugby India have unveiled a star-studded list of marquee international players and coaches for RPL. Mike Friday, Ben Gollings, DJ Forbes, Tomasi Cama, Paco Hernandez and Tim Walsh will take charge of a team each as head coaches.
Players selected for Rugby Premier League
Two-time Olympians Baker, Specman, Curry, Gonzalez, Harry McNulty, Jordon Conroy have all committed themselves to the maiden season of RPL. There are other Olympic gold medallists, Rugby Sevens World Cup champions, and SVNS Series title-winners among the marquees.
Additionally, 18 players from Germany, Hong Kong China and Canada will be drafted into one of the six teams. 30 Indian players chosen from an auction pool of 71 will also play a part in this historic tournament alongside some of the world’s best sevens stars.
“The Rugby Premier League marks a pivotal moment in our mission to elevate rugby in India,” Satyam Trivedi, CEO of GMR Sports, explained. “By showcasing a vibrant mix of international and Indian talent, and with the unwavering support of our franchise owners, this league is poised to redefine the future of the sport.
“We believe that the RPI will not only captivate a wider audience but also provide Indian players with invaluable opportunities to compete alongside the world’s best, thereby raising the standard of rugby in our country.
“As rugby continues to grow as an Olympic sport, GMR Group is excited to contribute to its historic development in India.”
Full list of 30 marquee international players
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