Chennai Bulls Appoint New Captains for Rugby Premier League 2026
Leadership Changes in Chennai Bulls
Santiago Alvarez from Argentina has been appointed as the Captain of the Chennai Bulls, the reigning champions of the Rugby Premier League. He will be supported by Indian rugby star Mohit Khatri, who takes on the role of Vice Captain. The Chennai Bulls are set to kick off their title defense on June 16 against Delhi Redz at Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad, as per an official announcement.
Women's Team Leadership
In a significant move, Chantelle Miell will lead the women's team, with Savannah Bauder serving as vice-captain. They will commence their journey against Delhi Redz in the inaugural match of the women's league on June 16.
Captains Share Their Aspirations
"It’s a privilege to lead the Chennai Bulls this season, and I aim to defend our title from the first season. The diversity within the team presents an exciting challenge, and I’m thrilled to have Mohit Khatri alongside me as vice-captain. The Chennai Bulls have always set high standards, and we will strive to maintain that in every match. A big thank you to AVID Sports and our partners for their support, and it’s an honor to play under the legendary Ben Gollings as we pursue glory in RPL 2026," stated Santiago Alvarez.
"The Chennai Bulls have made remarkable progress over the past year, and I’m honored to be part of this team. Being appointed as Vice-Captain reflects the trust the franchise has in me, and I look forward to playing alongside these legends," expressed Mohit Khatri.
Women's Rugby Movement
"The inclusion of women's teams in the Rugby Premier League marks a significant advancement for rugby sevens. Kudos to Chennai Bulls for being part of this movement and for having teams in both leagues. Chennai has set high standards, and we are eager to uphold that legacy in the RPL. Being named captain is a special honor, and I look forward to collaborating with Coach Amy Turner to develop this team into its best form," remarked Chantelle Miell.
"I am extremely excited for the upcoming RPL season, and being selected as vice-captain is a special honor. Our squad features some of the biggest names in international rugby and the Indian rugby scene. We are eager to start our campaign," added Savannah Bauder.
Experienced Leadership
The Chennai Bulls' leadership team comprises seasoned players with extensive experience in captaining various teams. Santiago Alvarez has previously led the Argentinian team at the Paris 2024 Olympics, while Mohit Khatri has been a long-time captain for India on the international stage. Chantelle Miell has also captained Great Britain in the World Rugby SVNS series. This selection of captains sends a strong message to other teams in the Rugby Premier League, emphasizing the Bulls' serious intent to defend their title and aim for the inaugural women's championship.
Aiming for Global Recognition
The 2025-26 season was a landmark year for both the Chennai Bulls and Indian rugby, as the franchise became the first Indian team to participate in the Fiji Coral Coast 7s and the prestigious Hong Kong 10s. This highlights their commitment to not only developing the Chennai Bulls franchise but also promoting rugby in India and globally.
Star-Studded Lineup for the Upcoming Season
Backed by AVID Sports and supported by AVID Health, Remsafe, and Priority Pass, the Chennai Bulls boast a formidable lineup featuring top international rugby talents alongside strong Indian representation.
The men's squad includes players like Kaminieli Rasaku, Ratu Filipe Sauturaga, Santiago Alvarez, Ratu Marika Koroibeti, Michael Icely, Taualai Panoa, Tusitafu Toilolo, Marcus Kershaw, Hidayat Jeffrydin, Mohit Khatri, Harpreet Singh Kamboj, Pranav Patil, Jugal Majhi, and Karan Rajbhar, under the coaching of Ben Gollings.
The women's squad comprises Adia Pye, Carmen Izyk, Larah Wright, Savannah Bauder, Chantelle Miell, Sheilla Chajira, Sandhyarani Tudu, Amandeep Kaur, Sandhya Rai, Muskan Piploda, Sapna Kumari, and Priyanka R., coached by Amy Turner.