Indian rugby is set to take another significant step onto the international stage, with India Rugby 7s former head coach Ben Gollings confirming that the Chennai Bulls will participate in the prestigious HKFC 10s tournament in Hong Kong later this year.
The development marks an important milestone not just for the franchise, but for Indian rugby’s larger ambition of bridging the gap between domestic competition and elite global platforms.
Organised annually for the past four decades by the Hong Kong Football Club, the HKFC 10s is widely regarded as one of the premier invitational rugby tournaments in the world. The 2026 edition will hold additional significance as it marks the 40th anniversary of the competition, bringing together established international club sides and emerging teams from developing rugby nations in a highly competitive format.
For the Chennai Bulls the inaugural champions of India’s Rugby Premier League (RPL) participation in this tournament represents an opportunity to measure their progress against seasoned global opposition.
Exposure for Indian Players
As part of the Bulls’ squad, six Indian national team players are set to feature in the tournament, providing them with exposure to a level of competition rarely available through domestic pathways alone. Facing professional club sides and former international players is expected to offer valuable experience in high-pressure match environments an essential component in accelerating the development of Indian rugby athletes.
The HKFC 10s format itself plays a crucial role in this developmental pathway. Unlike the traditional Rugby Sevens format, the 10-a-side structure increases player density on the field, resulting in reduced space and a more physically demanding style of play.
This environment forces quicker decision-making, improved defensive organisation and a stronger emphasis on structured attacking patterns elements that are vital for players aiming to compete consistently at the international level.
Watch Indian Live Scores and Play Quiz – Download IndiaSportsHub App
The campaign will once again be overseen by Ben Gollings, whose experience as the highest points-scorer in the history of the World Rugby Sevens Series has played a key role in shaping India’s high-performance rugby ecosystem. Having represented England across 70 international tournaments and more recently guided Fiji to the Melrose Cup victory at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2022, Gollings brings extensive tactical and coaching expertise to the Bulls setup.
Under his leadership, the Chennai Bulls emerged as the dominant side in the inaugural RPL season in 2025, culminating in a 41–0 victory in the final to claim the first-ever league title.
That success served as an early proof-of-concept for the franchise-based model being implemented within Indian rugby one that combines international marquee players with domestic talent in a professionalised competitive structure.
The Rugby Premier League, launched in 2025, was conceived as a means to create a sustainable professional ecosystem for rugby athletes in India. Prior to its introduction, many national-level players were required to balance training with employment outside sport. The franchise model has begun to shift this landscape by offering professional contracts, structured training environments and increased media visibility.
Participation in tournaments such as the HKFC 10s extends this pathway beyond domestic competition, enabling Indian players to test themselves against established club systems from traditional rugby-playing nations.
Strategic International Exposure
The Bulls’ Hong Kong campaign follows their participation in international tournaments such as the Coral Coast Sevens in Fiji earlier this year another initiative aimed at embedding Indian players within elite competitive environments. Such exposure is viewed as critical to India’s long-term objectives in rugby, including improving its standing within Asia and strengthening its prospects in international qualification pathways.
The 2026 HKFC 10s will feature 12 men’s teams competing over three days from April 14 to 16, offering a condensed yet physically demanding tournament schedule. For the Chennai Bulls and their Indian contingent, navigating this format will present both tactical challenges and developmental opportunities.
Watch Indian Live Scores and Play Quiz – Download IndiaSportsHub App
While the immediate focus will remain on performance in Hong Kong, the broader significance of this participation lies in its contribution to India’s evolving rugby structure.
International tournaments such as the HKFC 10s provide a platform for Indian players to gain experience in professional environments, refine their technical skills and adapt to the physical demands of elite-level competition.
As Indian rugby continues its gradual transition towards structured professionalism, Chennai Bulls’ presence at one of the sport’s most established club tournaments signals another step forward in integrating domestic talent into the global rugby ecosystem.
