ITV

Tag: Rugby India

  • Scrum meets screen as Sportz Interactive powers Rugby Premier League

    Scrum meets screen as Sportz Interactive powers Rugby Premier League

    MUMBAI: When it comes to scoring off the field, Sportz Interactive is now the prop powering Indian rugby’s digital game. In a game-changing alliance, Sportz Interactive (SI) has partnered with the newly launched Rugby Premier League (RPL), supported by GMR Sports, to design and drive the league’s entire digital presence from the first whistle to the final try.

    The engagement sees SI developing and managing the official RPL website now the central hub for fixtures, squad updates, and stories as well as launching its social media channels to build a strong, steady fanbase from the get-go. The agency also rolled out a suite of creative launch assets and a phased content strategy to keep rugby conversations buzzing long after match day.

    To mark major moments like franchise unveils, player auctions, and squad reveals, SI created high-impact visuals and behind-the-scenes content, including exclusive interviews with RPL heavyweights like Rugby India president Rahul Bose and GMR Sports CEO, Satyam Trivedi.

    The collaboration also takes the reins on RPL’s flagship fan campaign, #RugRugMeinRugby, weaving it across platforms through custom content buckets, quirky formats, and platform-specific storytelling that’s equal parts entertaining and educational. From strategic sponsor activations to creative brand partnerships, SI is also helping bring the business side of rugby into sharper play.

    “Rugby is stepping into an exciting new era in India,” said Sportz Interactive SVP for Teams Chintan Shah. “This is more than a league, it’s a movement. At SI, we’re excited to blend data, design, and digital storytelling to grow the game and fire up the fans.”

    As the Rugby Premier League sets its sights on making rugby more mainstream in India, SI’s playbook is simple: create buzz, build community, and make every scroll, swipe, and click feel like a try well scored.
     

  • GMR’s ‘Rug rug mein rugby’ campaign brings the scrum to the street

    GMR’s ‘Rug rug mein rugby’ campaign brings the scrum to the street

    MUMBAI: GMR Rugby Premier League (RPL) is charging into the national consciousness with a thumping new campaign — Rug Rug Mein Rugby — an audacious attempt to make the gritty, fast-paced sport of Rugby 7s feel as everyday as chai and traffic jams.

    Launched by GMR Sports and Rugby India, the campaign leads with a high-energy anthem that celebrates the adrenaline, grit and speed of the game, backed by vibrant visuals and a hook designed to stick. But it doesn’t stop at soundtracks. A witty series of digital films reimagines rugby in everyday Indian scenarios — from a fish-market dive that mirrors a try, to a lift-crasher evoking a ruck. The goal? Make the game less foreign, more fun.

    Speaking on the campaign, Rugby India president Rahul Bose said, “With Rug Rug Mein Rugby, we are not just launching a league, we’re launching  an emotive appeal to all Indians – Sabke Rug Rug Mein Rugby, India ke Rug Rug Mein Rugby. The theme song exudes all the exciting characteristics of the sport, while this campaign simplifies the game, celebrates the best athletes, and invites all of India to witness this spectacle.”

    GMR Sports CMO Sujoy Ganguly said, “At GMR Sports, we are committed to building a strong foundation for rugby in India. This campaign captures the heart and excitement of the sport and makes it accessible to new audiences. It’s a dynamic, high energy launchpad for both the Rugby Premier League and a wider rugby movement in the country.”

    The GMR RPL, backed by World Rugby, kicks off its debut season on June 15 at the Mumbai Football Arena with 34 matches lined up. If the campaign’s punchy appeal lands right, rugby might just go from niche to next-big-thing.

  • Try time for India as GMR backs Rugby Premier League debut

    Try time for India as GMR backs Rugby Premier League debut

     MUMBAI: Rugby’s big break in India just got a power-packed boost courtesy GMR Group. One of India’s largest conglomerates has scrummed down with Rugby India to become the title partner of the inaugural Rugby Premier League (RPL), a first-of-its-kind franchise-based Rugby 7s tournament set to kick off in Mumbai on June 15, with the final scheduled for 29 June 2025.

    Organised in collaboration with GMR Sports, the league promises to be a landmark moment for Indian rugby. The action will unfold at Shahaji Raje Bhosale Sports Complex (Andheri Sports Complex), featuring six founding franchises and a mix of global and homegrown talent.

    The GMR Rugby Premier League (GMR RPL) will welcome players from rugby powerhouses like New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Fiji, Argentina, Great Britain, Ireland, USA, and Spain, along with 18 international athletes from Canada, Hong Kong, and Germany. On the home front, 30 Indian players were picked from a competitive auction pool of 71, putting the spotlight on the country’s emerging talent.

    GMR’s entry as title sponsor is no token gesture. With a strong track record in nurturing sport be it cricket with the Delhi Capitals, kabaddi, or grassroots initiatives the group’s involvement signals a serious intent to grow rugby’s footprint in India.

    Calling it a “very important opening season,” Rugby India president Rahul Bose hailed the partnership as one rooted in “mutual belief and optimism.” He added, “We are confident this partnership will stand the test of time.”

    For Indian rugby, this isn’t just a league, it’s a leap. And with GMR’s backing, the sport finally looks set to convert potential into points. Let the rucks and tries begin.