Rugby Premier League Season 2 Auction Concludes with Strong Team Lineups

The Rugby Premier League has successfully concluded its Season 2 Player Auction and Draft in Hyderabad, marking a significant milestone with the inclusion of women's franchises. Teams have assembled competitive squads, featuring a mix of international stars and emerging Indian talent. The men's and women's competitions will take place at Gachibowli Stadium from June 16 to 28. Key highlights include the highest-paid players and complete squad lists for each franchise, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 30, 2026, 19:13 IST

Rugby Premier League Season 2 Auction Overview

Following the success of its inaugural season in 2025, the Rugby Premier League, in collaboration with Rugby India, successfully wrapped up its Season 2 Player Auction and Draft in Hyderabad on Thursday. All franchises have formed robust and competitive teams in preparation for the upcoming season. Notably, this year marked a significant milestone as women's franchises participated in the Auction and Draft, with teams like Chennai Bulls, Mumbai Dreamers, Kolkata Banga Tigers, and Delhi Redz establishing their first-ever squads.

Competition Dates and Venue

The matches for both men's and women's leagues are scheduled to take place at Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad from June 16 to June 28. The Auction and Draft represented a pivotal advancement for the league, with six men's and four women's franchises strategically assembling balanced teams that include a blend of seasoned international players and promising Indian talent.

Men's Auction Highlights

The men's franchises, including Delhi Redz, Hyderabad Heroes, Kolkata Banga Tigers, Chennai Bulls, Mumbai Dreamers, and Bengaluru Bravehearts, made their selections. West Bengal's Sumit Kumar Roy emerged as the highest-paid Indian player, securing a contract worth Rs 3.75 lakh with Hyderabad Heroes. He was followed by Mohit Khatri, who was signed by Chennai Bulls for Rs 3.5 lakh, and both Deepak Kumar Punia and Prashant Arvind Pratap Singh were acquired for Rs 2.75 lakh by Delhi Redz and Kolkata Banga Tigers, respectively.

Women's Auction Highlights

In the Women's Auction and Draft, the franchises of Chennai Bulls, Mumbai Dreamers, Kolkata Banga Tigers, and Delhi Redz built their inaugural teams, enhancing the competitive nature of the Rugby Premier League. Shikha Yadav from Delhi was the highest-paid player, earning Rs 2.4 lakh for Delhi Redz, followed closely by Bhumika Shukla at Rs 2.2 lakh with Mumbai Dreamers. Nirmalya Rout and Amandeep Kaur were also signed for Rs 1.6 lakh by Kolkata Banga Tigers and Chennai Bulls, respectively.

Team Preparations Ahead of the Season

With the teams now finalized, the focus will shift to pre-season training as the Rugby Premier League continues to gain traction as one of India's leading rugby platforms.

Complete Squad Lists for Each Team

Men's Squads

Chennai Bulls: Internationals - Joseva Talacolo (FIJ, Retained), Filipe Sauturaga (FIJ, Retained), Santiago Alvarez (ARG), Sunni Jardine (GBR), Tobias Sanz-Trapaga (ESP), Ethan Turner (CAN), Taualai Panoa (SAM), Tusitafu Toilolo (SAM), Hidayat Jerffrydin (SGP) Indians - Mohit Khatri (HAR, 3.5L), Jugal Kishore Majhi (ODI, 1.25L), Karan Rajbhar (WB, 1.25L), Pranav Patil (MAH, 50k), Harpreet Singh Kamboj (PUN, 50k)

Bengaluru Bravehearts: Internationals - Akuila Rokolisoa (NZL, Retained), Philip Wokorach (UGA, Retained), Henry Hutchison (AUS), Ngarohi McGarvey Black (NZL), Shilton Van Wyk (RSA), Ryan Apps (GBR), Denis Etwau (UGA), Motu Opetai (SAM), Michael Coverdale (HKG) Indians - Rajdeep Saha (WB, 1.25L), Devendra Raju Padir (MAH, 1.5L), Ganesh Dhangada Majhi (ODI, 90k), Akash Balmiki (WB, 50k), Arpan Chetri (WB, 1.25L)

Delhi Redz: Internationals - Patrick Odongo Okongo (KEN, Retained), Luciano Gonzalez (ARG), Pol Pla (ESP), Josep Serres (ESP), Nygel Pettersen Amaitsa (KEN), Elias Hancock (CAN), Samuel Mosirori Asati (KEN), Jon Okoth Okeyo (KEN), Lennox Wiese (GER) Indians - Vinay A (KAR, 50k), Javed Hussein (DEL, 2L), Hitesh Dagar (HAR, 1.25L), Deepak Kumar Punia (HAR, 2.75L), Shridhar Shrikant Nigade (MAH, 1L)

Hyderabad Heroes: Internationals - Manuel Moreno Asensi (ESP, Retained), Kevin Wekesa (KEN, Retained), Maurice Longbottom (AUS), Regan Ware (NZL), Francisco Cosculluela (ESP), Diego Ardao (URU), Dante Sotonida (URU), Ravuama Seruvakula (SAM), Wolfram Hacker (GER) Indians - Shivam Shukla (DEL, 1.25L), Sumit Kumar Roy (WB, 3.75L), Muhammed Anes K (KER, 70k), Sambit Pradhan (ODI, 1L), Rajan Rawat (RAJ, 50k)

Mumbai Dreamers: Internationals - Ben Lasiel (PNG, Retained), James Turner (AUS), Santino Zangara (ARG), Lucas Mignot (FRA), Tristan Leyds (RSA), Guillaume Bouche (FRA), Nabo Sakoyi (RSA), Liam Poulton (CAN), Demetri Patterson (CAN) Indians - Sukumar Hembrom (WB, 1.25L), Prince Khatri (HAR, 2L), Asis Sabar (ODI, 50k), Vikas Khatri (HAR, 50k), Neeraj Khatri (HAR, Retained)

Kolkata Banga Tigers: Internationals - Vuiviwa Naduvalo (FIJ), Thibaud Mazzoleni (FRA), Brady Rush (NZL), Ricardo Duartee (RSA), Lucas Lacamp (USA), Aaron Cummings (USA), Adrian Kasito (UGA), Niue Owen (SAM), Shotaro Tsuoka (JPN) Indians - Ajay Deswal (HAR, 1.5L), Prashant Arvind Pratap Singh (MAH, 2.75L), Shanawaz Ahmed (ODI, 1.25L), Deshraj Rathore (RAJ, 90k), Sanjay Kisan (ODI, 50k)

Women's Squads

Chennai Bulls: Internationals - Ana Maria Naimasi (FIJ), Chantelle Miell (GBR), Carmen Izyk (CAN), Lara Wright (CAN), Liske Lategan (RSA), Sheilla Chajira (KEN) Indians - Tarulata Naik (ODI, 80k), Sandhyarani Tudu (ODI, 1.4L), Amandeep Kaur (PUN, 1.6L), Sandhya Rai (WB, 1.2L), Sapna Kumari (Bihar, 50k), Muskan Piploda (RAJ, 50k)

Delhi Redz: Internationals - Camilla Carvalho (BRA), Isadora Lopes (BRA), Reapi Ulunisau (FIJ), Silika Qalo (FIJ), Eden Kilgour (CAN), Zintle Mpupha (RSA) Indians - Guriya Kumari (Bihar, 1.1L), Shikha Yadav (DEL, 2.4L), Vaishnavi Patel (MAH, 90k), Dumuni Marndi (ODI, 60k), Rima Oraon (WB, 50k), Saloni Kumari (Bihar, 50k)

Mumbai Dreamers: Internationals - Yasmim Soares (BRA), Abigail Brown (GBR), Grace Okulu (KEN), Marienela Escalante (ARG), Carmen Miranda Miralles (ESP), Abril Camacho Ruiz (ESP) Indians - Arti Kumari (Bihar, 1.6L), Mama Naik (ODI, 50k), Hupi Majhi (ODI, 50k), Bhumika Shukla (RAJ, 2.2L), Lachmi Oraon (WB, 50k), Sunita Hansdah (ODI, 50k)

Kolkata Banga Tigers: Internationals - Nia Toliver (USA), Shiniqwa Lamprecht (RSA), Vianca Boer (RSA), Ronja Hinterding (GER), Sarah Gossman (GER), Sofia Gonzalez (ARG) Indians - Gomti Thakur (DEL, 50k), Ujjwala Ghuge (MAH, 1L), Kalyani Patil (MAH, 90k), Nirmalya Rout (ODI, 1.6L), Kyra Bianca Vincent (MAH, 60k), Parbati Hansdah (ODI, 70k).