Kolkata Banga Tigers: Kolkata’s First Rugby Premier League Franchise Debuts

 

Kolkata Banga Tigers Set for Historic Rugby Premier League Debut with Global Squad of 26 Players

 Reported by Sanchita chatterjee Kolkata: has officially entered the Rugby Premier League. The Kolkata Banga Tigers will make their historic debut this season as the city’s first-ever RPL franchise. For a city where rugby began in Asia back in 1873 with Calcutta FC, this launch feels like a full-circle moment for the sport in Eastern India.

A Global Squad of 26 Players

The Tigers aren’t here just to participate. The franchise announced a 26-member squad with players from 11 countries, featuring Olympians, World Champions and National Champions. The mix of international experience and elite athletic talent shows the team’s ambition to compete from day one. 

Head Coach: Osea Kolinisau  

Leading the men’s team is Fiji 7s legend Osea Kolinisau, Olympic gold medalist from Rio 2016. His focus is clear: “building a team that plays with intensity, discipline and pride”. With Kolinisau at the helm, the Tigers will bring a fast, physical style of rugby to the RPL.

Historic Launch of Women’s Team

Adding to the significance, Kolkata Banga Tigers Women will also debut this season. The franchise becomes one of only four teams in India to field a women’s squad in the RPL. 

Sanaya Mehta Vyas, Vice President of Rugby India and a Kolkatan herself, said the women’s team will create “greater opportunities and visibility for female rugby players while inspiring the next generation of athletes”. In a growing sport like rugby, that step matters.

Backed by Rugby Legacy

The franchise is backed by Hunch Ventures, which has supported rugby in India for years. Spokesperson Shaunte Ranjeev Ghosh called Kolkata a “fitting home” for the team because of the city’s unique place in rugby history.

With global players, Olympic-level coaching, and a commitment to both men’s and women’s rugby, the Kolkata Banga Tigers aren’t just joining the RPL. They’re aiming to shape its future in Eastern India.