Kenya Sevens sensation Patrick Odongo is set to rub shoulders with rugby royalty after being drafted into India’s inaugural Rugby Premier League (RPL), the world’s first franchise-based rugby sevens league.The 22-year-old speedster continues his meteoric rise in the sport by earning a spot among 30 marquee international players in a tournament being billed as a game-changer for rugby sevens.##NAJAVA_MECA_8831637##Follow Our WhatsApp Channel For More News!!!The RPL will run from June 1 to 15 at the Mumbai Football Arena, during a specially sanctioned window in the global calendar, with the support of World Rugby.Odongo will join a star-studded cast that includes legendary names such as USA’s Perry Baker, South Africa’s Rosko Specman, and New Zealand’s Scott Curry—all of whom are coming out of retirement for the tournament.Current stars like Argentina’s Luciano Gonzalez and Akuila Rokolisoa of the All Blacks Sevens are also on board.Drama as Gor Mahia coach expels three technical bench members, accuses them of sabotagePlayers from powerhouse rugby nations including South Africa, Great Britain, Fiji, Australia, and Kenya will compete across six city-based franchises: Bengaluru Bravehearts, Chennai Bulls, Delhi Redz, Hyderabad Heroes, Kalinga Black Tigers, and the Mumbai Dreamers.The competition will feature 34 matches over 15 days, bringing elite sevens action to Indian fans on an unprecedented scale.“This is a league that’s been six years in the making, but we wanted to do everything right. With the support of World Rugby and some of the best minds in the sport, the Rugby Premier League is finally here,” said Rahul Bose, President of Rugby India.GMR Sports, in partnership with Rugby India, is spearheading the league’s launch.According to Satyam Trivedi, CEO of GMR Sports, the RPL is poised to inspire a new era of rugby in India.”I’m not angry anymore”: Gor Mahia coach buries hatchet with technical bench after disagreement“This league will provide Indian players with invaluable opportunities to compete alongside the world’s best, thereby raising the standard of rugby in our country,” Trivedi said.Coaches for the six teams will be equally high-profile, with the likes of Mike Friday, Ben Gollings, DJ Forbes, Tomasi Cama, Paco Hernandez, and Tim Walsh taking the reins.The 30 marquee international players will be joined by 18 more from countries such as Germany, Hong Kong China, and Canada, along with 30 Indian players selected from a pool of 71.Singapore 7s men’s pools announced for 2025
