Key Points

Scott Curry, an Olympic silver medalist, and Pol Pla Vegue, Spain’s rugby star, will co-captain Bengaluru Bravehearts in the Rugby Premier League. The team blends international legends like Tone Ng Shiu with Indian talents like Mohit Khatri. Coached by Paco Hernandez, they aim to win the inaugural season. Their campaign begins on June 15 against Delhi Redz.

Key Points: Scott Curry and Pol Pla Vegue lead Bengaluru Bravehearts in Rugby Premier League

  • Curry led New Zealand to Olympic silver in 2020
  • Pla Vegue holds record for most tries in Spain’s rugby history
  • Franchise features global stars alongside Indian talent
  • Coach Paco Hernandez guides the squad
3 min read

Scott Curry, Pol Pla Vegue named co-captains for Bengaluru Bravehearts in upcoming Rugby Premier League

New Zealand’s Scott Curry and Spain’s Pol Pla Vegue named co-captains for Bengaluru Bravehearts in Rugby Premier League’s debut season.

"We are extremely excited... to captain the Bengaluru Bravehearts in the inaugural season. – Scott Curry & Pol Pla Vegue"

Mumbai, June 14

Kiwi Legend, Scott Curry and Spanish Captain, Pol Pla Vegue have been named co-captains for the Bengaluru Bravehearts in the upcoming Rugby Premier League starting on June 15 at the Andheri Sports Complex, Mumbai. The Rugby Premier League is the world's first franchise-based international league where stalwarts of international rugby will play alongside the best talent homegrown in India, said an official statement by Bengaluru Bravehearts.

"We are extremely excited for the upcoming Rugby Premier League and to captain the Bengaluru Bravehearts in the inaugural season is a responsibility that we are really looking forward to. Our squad consists of some of the biggest names from both international rugby and from a pool of fantastic Indian players and we cannot wait to get our campaign started." Said both Scott Curry and Pol Pla Vegue on being appointed co-captains of the Bengaluru Bravehearts, as per the release.

Scott Curry and Pol Pla Vegue will each bring their own experience to the franchise, each having captained the best sides in the world with the hope of leading Bengaluru Bravehearts into a successful inaugural season at the Rugby Premier League.

Scott Curry has established himself as one of the best open field runners in the rugby sevens game has also captained the iconic New Zealand side, widely also known as the All Blacks Seven. He led the team to an Olympic Silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the first ever medal for the New Zealand in rugby 7s at the Olympics. Pol Pla Vegue, captain of Spain's Rugby 7s team and the Spanish player with the most number of tries in the world rugby seven series in history, has led Spain to a number of accolades.

"Ranjan, Bhupinder and Me are amazed at the camaraderie that has been created between international legends from New Zealand, Fiji, Spain, Uganda, Hong Kong, Canada, and legends from the Indian Rugby, led by the most celebrated and accomplished coach Paco Hernandez supported by the best Indian coach.

Different languages, different accents, different cultures but bound by a smile, bound by their love for rugby and their desire for the Bravehearts to lift the first edition cup for Bengaluru with their enthusiastic cheer NAMDU (which means ITS OURS in Kannada). Thanks to GMR and Indian Rugby Football Union for coming together and giving huge hope to lakhs of youth playing this sport in the future in India," said co-owner Sanjith Shetty, Bengaluru Bravehearts, as per the release

Co-owned by the Ranjan Pai led, Manipal Group, Bhupinder Singh led, InCred and Sanjith Shetty led, Soham, the Bengaluru Bravehearts boasts of names like Tone Ng Shiu, Mohit Khatri, Iowane Teba, Liam Poulton, Arpan Chettri amongst others in their final squad.

The complete squad is Scott Curry, Pol Pla Vegue, Tone Ng Shiu, Suresh Kumar, Iowane Teba, Mak Chung, Akila Rokolisoa, Liam Poulton, Mohit Khatri, Arpan Chettri, Karan Rajbhar, and Prashant Singh. The team is coached by the legendary, Francisco 'Paco' Hernandez.

The Bengaluru Bravehearts begin their campaign against Delhi Redz in the first match of the league on June 15.

Complete fixtures: (Bengaluru Bravehearts)

June 15: vs Delhi Redz

June 16: vs Kalinga Black Tigers

June 17: vs Hyderabad Heroes

June 19: vs Mumbai Dreamers

June 20: vs Chennai Bulls

June 21: vs Chennai Bulls

June 22: vs Hyderabad Heroes

June 23: vs Delhi Redz

June 25: vs Kalinga Black Tigers

June 27: vs Mumbai Dreamers.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

Here are 6 diverse Indian perspective comments for the Rugby Premier League announcement:
R
Rahul K.
Exciting times for Indian rugby! Having international stars like Curry and Vegue will raise the game's profile here. Hope this league inspires more youngsters to take up rugby. NAMDU! 💪
P
Priya M.
Great to see Bengaluru getting a rugby team! But why no matches scheduled in Bengaluru itself? Would have loved to watch them play at home. Hope they consider this for next season.
A
Amit S.
The mix of international and Indian players is perfect. Our boys will learn so much from legends like Curry. Hope Mohit Khatri and Arpan Chettri get good playing time to showcase Indian talent!
S
Shalini R.
As someone who played rugby in college, this makes me so happy! Finally rugby getting the attention it deserves in India. The NAMDU cheer is such a nice local touch too. All the best Bravehearts! 🏉
V
Vikram J.
While I appreciate the initiative, ticket prices should be kept affordable to attract crowds. Rugby isn't cricket yet in India. Need to build the fanbase first before commercializing too much.
N
Neha P.
Paco Hernandez is a brilliant coach choice! His experience with different rugby cultures will be invaluable. Hope Star Sports or Sony picks up the broadcasting rights - want to watch from Pune!

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