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Chennai, June 2025: Chennai Bulls, the city’s official
Chennai Bulls, the city’s official franchise in the inaugural season of Rugby Premier League (RPL), was formally unveiled to the fans, as the team also launched its official jersey, team song, and addressed the media at the Madras Cricket Club in Chennai on 2nd June, 2025 (Monday).
The launch was attended by Sendhil V. Thyagarajan, Treasurer of Rugby India, Aadhav Arjuna, Basketball Federation of India (BFI) President & General Secretary of Tamil Nadu Olympics Association and Akshit Sharma, from Chennai Bulls’ leadership group. Also present on the august occasion were the Head Coach of the franchise Ben Gollings and local movie star and former Indian rugby player, Vinay Rai.
The Chennai Bulls is owned by AvidSys Group’s – AVID Sports, an Indian-Australian sports company and is the only RPL franchise with an international investor, adding a global perspective to the league’s growth. Speaking about the franchise’s vision and expectations for the season, Akshit Sharma stated, “Chennai Bulls is more than just a rugby team, it’s a step toward transforming the sporting landscape in India. Our goal is to bring world-class infrastructure, coaching, and fan engagement to the heart of Chennai. We are committed to building a competitive team while deeply rooting ourselves in the local community. We believe the Chennai Bulls will inspire a new generation of athletes and rugby fans across the country.”
A legendary figure in international rugby sevens, Head Coach Ben Gollings brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record to the team. Gollings’ abilities as a player is well documented as he holds the record for the most points scored in the World Rugby Sevens Series, amassing 2,652 points over a decade-long tenure with the England Sevens team. The very experienced and well-travelled Gollings has also served as Head Coach for Sri Lanka and Olympic Champions Fiji.
While talking about the team’s strategy, Ben Collings stated, “Rugby 7s is such an exciting format—fast-paced, skill-heavy, and perfect for uplifting the profile of the sport in any corner of the world. Doing that with the Chennai Bulls is about understanding the players, building a stronger team, and making sure we hit the pitch with the intent being the best version of ourselves.”
Opening up about the RPL and its scope in India, Sendhil V. Thyagarajan said, “Rugby in India is a much-loved sport, with plenty of potential and interest, across the country. Rugby India is delighted to be a part of the RPL with the support of GMR Sports, as we look to hone and build a robust ecosystem for the sport. With Chennai Bulls now a part of the Rugby Premier League journey, we are confident that they will be able to inspire the younger generations in Tamil Nadu.”
While reflecting on the impact of RPL on India’s Olympics aspirations, Aadhav Arjuna said, “Exposing national players to high-level competition and diverse international playing styles is a crucial step in advancing India’s Rugby and Olympic aspirations. The league’s wide-reaching visibility will introduce rugby to millions of Indian sports fans, many of whom are discovering the sport for the first time. This growing awareness is essential to nurturing the next generation of talent and establishing a sustainable rugby ecosystem in the country.”
“Dedication, consistent hard work, and the willingness to learn from setback is important in every sporting journey. Rugby’s very ethos is team work, and it is an essential part of the Rugby Premier League’s first season as well. I am confident the passion, sincerity and dedication, together will only hold the sport in good stead in the future,” said Vinay Rai.
RPL, the first ever franchise-based Rugby 7s league in the world, is scheduled to be held from 15th to 29th June at the Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai with six teams competing for the title in the maiden season.
Chennai Bulls Squad: Hannes Adler, Haakon Oeß, Nikias Lohe, Terry Kennedy, Joseva Talacolo, Ratu Sauturaga, Joaquin Pellandini, Alexander Davis, Vallabh Patil, Shanawaz Ahmed, Vinayak Hariraj, Muhammed Jasim EP, and Vinay A
