Rugby in India

Rugby in India has a long history since the colonial era. Despite the age-old history of rugby in India since the 19th century, rugby in India has remained far away from mainstream sports because of a lack of structured infrastructure, proper format and lesser involvement of the local population. Like most sports developed in England and brought to India by the British during the colonial era, rugby was also first officially introduced in India in 1872 at the Calcutta Football Club. Since then, the CFC ground in Calcutta has remained the hub of rugby in India for decades and is also one of the oldest rugby clubs in India and the world outside Britain.

An interesting chapter in the history of rugby in India is the Calcutta Cup, for which the trophy was designed from molten silver rupees of ancient India. It is the most enduring legacy in rugby’s heritage symbolizing the invaluable contribution of India. The trophy is still awarded every year to the champion of the England vs Scotland rugby match.

Despite its early introduction, rugby in India did not get much exposure among Indians and remained a minor sport till the establishment of the India Rugby Football Union (IRFU) in 1995. In 1999, IRFU became associated with the International Rugby Board, initiating a flourishing journey for rugby in India.

So, is rugby popular in India today? The answer is YES! After the establishment of IRFU and its successful planning and execution programs from the grassroots through constant government support, rugby development in India became iconic, with the best rugby players in India coming from regions like Odisha, West Bengal, Maharashtra and parts of North East. Introduction of youth rugby programs in India, institutional support with technical trainings, and increased awareness have contributed together towards the steady rugby development in India. The introduction of rugby sevens gained immense popularity in no time, which is a faster and shorter version of traditional rugby, making the match more intense and engaging. As the Olympics recognized and included the rugby sevens format, this sport received further visibility and acceptance. Rugby involves two teams, with each team aiming to score more points than its opponent. Rugby in India can be played in two formats:

• Rugby Fifteens (15 players per team)
• Rugby Sevens (7 players per team)

Irrespective of formats and duration of the match in each format, the basic rugby rules remain the same. In the case of rugby fifteens, the total match duration is 80 minutes, divided into two halves of 40 minutes each and a 10-minute break. In rugby sevens, the total match duration is 14 minutes, divided into two halves of 7 minutes each and a 2-minute break. 

Today, Rugby India, the official brand for IRFU, is aiming at grassroots development and structured rugby training in India to earn global recognition for the Indian national rugby team. IRFU is affiliated with World Rugby and Asia Rugby. 

IRFU is in charge of:

• Selection of the Indian National Rugby Team and the Indian Women’s Rugby Team
• Organizing Rugby India fixtures
• Conducting youth rugby programs in India
• Running different coach and referee certification courses
• Monitoring the clubs and academies for advanced player development programs 

IRFU is playing an important role in the widespread development of rugby and integrating it into India’s sports culture.

Indian National Rugby Team

The Indian national rugby team represents both the Indian men’s rugby team and Indian women’s rugby team. Both teams represent Indian rugby in different international championships, including Rugby XV and Rugby Sevens. The Indian rugby team for men made their debut international performance in 1998 but failed to make their mark on the global stage. With continued training and persistent development, the Indian national rugby team qualified for the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Known for their resilience, the team participates in:

• Asia Rugby Championship (Division 3) and
• South Asian Games

On the other hand, the Indian women’s rugby team was launched much later but has shown consistent growth and impressive success. The Indian national rugby team for women marked their first international victory in 2019, defeating Singapore at the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship. Since then, the team remained unstoppable and in 2024, the Indian women’s rugby team won silver for the fourth time at the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Trophy. This team is a true example of inspiration and resilience in India’s sports landscape. Despite limited infrastructure and funding, the women’s squad made significant strides.

As per the latest update in world rankings, the Indian rugby team ranking in the men’s category is 89th, whereas in the women’s category, it is 50th. The recent victorious performances of the Indian women’s rugby team have escalated their Asian rankings. Over the years, the Indian national rugby team has won several international achievements and recognitions to boost its improving trajectory through consistent participation, structured training, and global exposure to counter the competitive challenges, while improving the Indian rugby team ranking.

Here are the key achievements and milestones of the Indian national rugby team at a glance:

• In 2008, India got its biggest win against Pakistan at the international level.
• In 2010, the Indian rugby team for men finished in the 2nd place in Division 2 in the Asia Rugby Championship.
• In 2022, the men’s Indian national rugby team won the 1st place in Division 3 South in the Asia Rugby Championship.
• In 2019, the Indian women’s rugby team bagged their first international victory at the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship.
• In 2024, the women’s squad won silver for the fourth time at the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Trophy.

Rugby Tournaments and Fixtures in India

Rugby India organizes several rugby tournaments in India throughout the year to provide competitive challenges to local talents while improving their gaming strategies. The most popular rugby tournaments in India are:

• Senior National Rugby 7s Championship
• Junior National Rugby 7s Championship
• National Rugby 7s Training Camp
• National Rugby 15s – Division 1
• National Rugby 15s – Division 2
• National Rugby 15s – Division 3
• National Rugby 15s Training Camp

Besides these professional-level rugby tournaments in India, there are three major tournaments organized annually:

• Societe Generale Junior National Rugby Sevens– Key tournament for the school-level youth
• National School Rugby Championship– Involving teams from different schools of different states. This is the most prestigious inter-state school tournament.
• Inter-Services Rugby Championship– Rugby tournaments are organized among the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.

All these rugby tournaments in India are separately organized for men’s and women’s categories. Besides these, many school-level and university-level tournaments are organized to boost the competitive standards of emerging talents from different rugby clubs in India. Besides these aforesaid tournaments, the All India & South Asia Rugby Tournament is the most prestigious event that attracts the best rugby clubs in India. Rugby India schedule includes several major and local events around the year to give an overall boost to rugby in India. According to the Rugby India fixtures for 2025, the upcoming rugby events in India are:

• Asian Rugby 15s
• Senior National Rugby 15s
• University Rugby Sevens
• Inter-state school tournaments

After the inclusion of rugby in the Olympics, the interest among the young has increased significantly, leading to increased engagement with the sport. Fans enjoy watching live streaming of all major domestic and international rugby tournaments. The official website and social media handles of Rugby India provide Indian rugby team updates along with upcoming rugby events in India. The increased student participation in university-level rugby tournaments is serving as a scouting ground for the national talent hunt. The fast and intense format of Rugby Sevens aligns with university curriculum, making it highly popular among universities. Delhi University, Mumbai University, KIIT University and many other universities across the nation host annual rugby tournaments, thus giving further exposure to the sport among Indian youth. 

Rugby Players and Clubs in India

The eminent rugby players in India whose contributions are noteworthy are:

• Naseer Hussain– The former captain of the Indian national rugby team, whose contribution was immense in Asian rugby.
• Vahbiz Bharucha– A leading personality in the Indian women’s rugby team.
• Mohit Khatri– The present captain of the Indian rugby team, whose strategy is exploding to bring new success stories for India.
• Sikha Yadav– The captain of the current women’s squad for Sevens Rugby, who has been the consistent power behind all the recent achievements for India. 

These athletes are the best rugby players from India who are shaping the prosperous future of rugby in India. These sports personalities have inspired many Indian youths to take up rugby as their passionate sport. 

Rugby is a sport which demands a high level of physical fitness, but it is also a game of discipline, teamwork and respect. So, understanding the rugby rules and the proper application of rugby equipment is essential to enjoy the sport safely and competitively. If you are wondering where to play rugby in India or looking for professional rugby training in India, you can explore the clubs and academies that are offering beginner-level training sessions focusing on basic rugby rules and equipment use. The rugby clubs in India have revamped their training programs and competitive standards, ensuring more holistic development of the emerging talents. The best rugby clubs in India are:

• Bombay Gymkhana– An age-old club with its rich heritage and legacy, producing the best talents for the country every year.
• Delhi Hurricanes– India has received the most eminent national-level players from this club. This club continues to maintain consistent performance in inter-state and national-level tournaments.
• Jungle Crows in Kolkata– Renowned for significant grassroots initiatives, the club is well known for its underprivileged community rugby program, Khelo Rugby.
• Bangalore Rugby Football Club (B.R.F.C.)– A new yet strong contender from South India. They have a girls’ team and a boys’ team of U-19 and U-16. 

Besides these three heritage rugby clubs in India, the nation has many other clubs and academies in other states, which are also highly instrumental in training, mentoring and guiding the young athletes for national recognition. A number of youth rugby programs like Get Into Rugby (GIR) and Khelo Rugby are inspiring the youth from a tender age to participate in school-level rugby competitions in rural areas. These grassroots initiatives inspire the youth from relatively backwards areas and drive them towards opportunities to grow and excel. These initiatives are supported by IRFU and World Rugby, emphasizing inclusivity, teamwork and fitness programs. These youth rugby programs in India are a strategic way of building the next generation of rugby players in India for a better future in India’s sports ecosystem.

Training and Development of Rugby in India

Rugby India, in association with World Rugby, is developing professional academies and certified coaching centres to provide structured training programs. Professional rugby training in India is emerging with a vision of extensive rugby development in India. The idea is to create a strong pool of the best rugby players in India at the grassroots, junior and professional levels. The top-notch rugby academies are playing a vital role by providing physical training, mental strength conditioning, gaming tactics, nutritional programs and overall rugby education. These academies also focus on injury prevention, leadership training, team building, and player welfare, preparing athletes for rugby tournaments in India and international leagues. With certified coaches, trained under World Rugby standards, the rising stars also receive world-class guidance and training that aligns with international level. As the training centres are maintaining a high-performance level, youth rugby programs in India are gaining momentum, turning passion into professionalism at the grassroots level. The talents are under persistent training from the school level up to professional teams. Rugby India is completely focused on developing a comprehensive infrastructure and rugby education system to uplift the intense competitiveness of the sport at all levels and to get a prestigious position for the Indian rugby team on the international platform. 

The key academies include:

• Delhi Hurricanes Academy
• KISS Rugby Academy is Odisha 
• Jungle Crow Foundation in Kolkata

World Rugby-certified professional coaches are in charge of these skill development programs. These programs will turn into a steady pipeline of rugby athletes in the near future. World Rugby-certified referees strictly inspect equipment, ensuring player safety in professional tournaments. 

Schools and universities are the foundation of rugby development in India. With new avenues to promote and increase rugby awareness, rugby has been included as an integral part of the sports curriculum in several institutions to encourage the youth from a tender age. Inter-school and inter-college tournaments provide early engagement with rugby, allowing the coaches to easily identify talent for better training programs. 

State government support is an additional advantage for rugby development in India. Odisha state government has extended support by sponsoring athlete scholarships and state-level rugby tournaments. Some private sponsors like Tata Trusts and Societe Generale, in collaboration with Rugby India are supporting youth rugby programs in India. Collaboratively, all these initiatives are ensuring a bright future for Rugby India, opening new organized avenues for aspiring athletes.

Challenges and the Future of Indian Rugby

Since the introduction of rugby in the Indian sports ecosystem, the sport has always experienced setbacks. Initially, rugby in India was restricted to the British only, and in the post-independence era, rugby became a niche sport with very limited attention. The popularity of cricket and football set away the positive developments in rugby in India. Starting from a huge fanbase to corporate sponsorships, government funding, and media coverage, cricket and football are the epicentre of Indian sports. Whatever football was lagging, the introduction of ISL has pushed football significantly to be parallelly compete with cricket and be under the spotlight. Hence, rugby in India continues its struggle to attract public interest. Amidst various encouraging developments, the lack of infrastructure like dedicated rugby stadiums, training academies, and quality equipment remains a major concern, along with the government’s interest in promoting the sport through sufficient funding for growth opportunities. Media and online coverage are also major issues in gaining visibility.

Roadmap for Rugby Development in India

While rugby in India is facing so much of challenges, the foundation of the India Rugby Football Union (IRFU) in 1995 brought a major difference in the roadmap for rugby development in India. Its comprehensive plan starts from widespread awareness to bring public interest in the sport. IRFU works on grassroots rugby development in India by initiating school-level rugby training and competitions. The governing body introduced state-level tournaments to nurture emerging talents from all corners of India and train them for national recognition. With consistent efforts in rugby training in India and skilful strategies, these national talents will compete in international tournaments, making India a strong competitor in the future. IRFU is also planning for international collaborations to host international rugby matches in India for increased visibility.

The major steps in the plan for action to improve both quality and quantity in rugby are:

• Establishing new grassroots development centres across the nation
• Hosting more regional leagues to provide year-round competitions
• Development of coaching certifications across India
• Media partnerships to boost the visibility of rugby matches in India

Rugby Betting in India – Where to Bet and Why Dafabet is a Top Choice

With the increasing popularity of rugby in India, sports enthusiasts are placing bets on rugby matches in India. The online sports betting ecosystem is evolving in India with steady growth over the years. Sports betting enthusiasts are looking for renowned and legal sports betting platforms in India, like Dafabet, to have a safe and secure betting experience while remaining compliant with Indian gambling laws. Dafabet is one of the best sites for rugby betting in India. It offers the most competitive betting odds across diverse betting markets to maximize the profit count of its users. It also provides access to all major international and local rugby matches in India with in-play betting options. The early access to the year-round rugby schedule in India allows users to stay engaged with their favourite sport throughout and explore more betting opportunities. Dafabet is also an easy solution to how to watch rugby in India, as fans can enjoy live streaming of all major international and local rugby matches in India on this betting platform.

Developed with the intent of providing the utmost convenience to its users, Dafabet provides a user-friendly interface in both English and Hindi for the locals. Ensuring a hassle-free transaction process through high-end data encryption technology, Dafabet offers direct INR transactions through UPI, bank transfers, net banking and credit/debit cards. Its quick processing time ensures multiple deposit and withdrawal options instantly. Dafabet also credits different types of bonuses and promotions to its user accounts to let them explore the betting opportunities further. The 24/7 multilingual customer support through email, phone and chat ensures an increased audience engagement for a safe and smooth rugby betting experience in India.

If you are willing to place bets on rugby matches in India, follow the rugby India fixtures available on Dafabet along with expert rugby betting tips for a seamless experience. Dafabet also provides regular updates about all upcoming rugby events in India, making it an ultimate choice for bettors to combine their sporting spree with the excitement of sports betting. However, always keep your betting budget aside without affecting your other finances. Do not chase the losses or make any betting decision based on emotion. Always consider the facts and data along with updates of upcoming rugby events in India to make informed betting decisions. Responsible betting is the key to exciting sports betting experience.