French rugby official calls India's franchise rugby league an 'interesting try'

Time of India

6 hours ago

Christophe Reigt, general manager of the French Rugby Federation and part of France's gold medal-winning rugby sevens contingent at the Paris Olympics, described India's new Rugby Premier League as 'an interesting try' and a development worth watching closely.
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Reigt, who visited Mumbai to observe the ongoing tournament, noted that the league's format, structure, and player participation model mark a notable shift in how rugby sevens is typically played.
'This is a very new product of rugby sevens, and we were keen to find out what is happening,' Reigt said, adding that the franchise-based model, along with the structure of teams playing one match per day, offers players much-needed recovery time—something rarely seen in the fast-paced sevens circuit.
The league has featured top-tier international names, including Olympic and World Cup veterans, alongside Indian players who have shown promise through the tournament. Reigt highlighted this interaction as a vital opportunity for local talent. 'Indian players are able to play with some of the best international players and gain an understanding of the level and calibre required at the top,' he said.
Among the standout Indian performers is Javed Hussain, who currently ranks among the top try-scorers in the league.
Reigt sees such exposure as a stepping stone. 'This is a first step for Indian players to stay more in touch with high-level rugby. Hopefully, they will continue to get more opportunities like this throughout the year,' he said.
Reigt also welcomed the fact that the international calendar had made space for the league, allowing high-profile players to participate. 'It's a very good idea to have international stars showcasing the sport at a high level—it's an interesting way of developing Indian rugby,' he said.