From Bordeaux to Hyderabad: Indian Women Rugby Players Set to Learn from Global Sevens Stars at Rugby Premier League
Just days after helping Canada secure a podium finish at the HSBC SVNS World Championship in Bordeaux, two of the world's leading rugby sevens players, Carmen Izyk and Eden Kilgour, are preparing for a very different challenge in India.
The duo, who played important roles in Canada’s bronze medal-winning campaign in France, will now feature in the women’s division of the Rugby Premier League (RPL), offering Indian players a rare opportunity to train, compete and share the field with some of the best athletes in world rugby.
For Indian women’s rugby, this is arguably one of the most significant developments in the sport’s history. The Rugby Premier League, scheduled to be held in Hyderabad from June 16 to June 28, has already attracted several international stars. However, the arrival of players fresh from the highest level of international competition brings an entirely new dimension to the tournament.
Canada entered the final leg of the HSBC SVNS World Championship in Bordeaux looking to finish strongly against some of the world’s elite rugby nations.
The North Americans opened their campaign with victories over Spain and Great Britain before suffering a defeat against the United States in the pool stage. They bounced back impressively in the knockout rounds, defeating Fiji in the quarter-finals before narrowly losing to eventual champions New Zealand in the semi-finals. Canada eventually secured third place with a dramatic victory over the United States in the bronze medal match.
Carmen Izyk was one of the standout performers during the campaign, scoring a crucial try in the quarter-final victory over Fiji. Eden Kilgour also made important contributions throughout the tournament and featured prominently during Canada’s successful run to the podium.
The result established Canada as one of the strongest teams in global rugby sevens and highlighted the quality of players that will now be arriving in India.
From International Rivals to RPL Stars
What makes the story even more fascinating is the transition these players are about to undertake. Within little more than a week of competing on the world stage in Bordeaux, both athletes will be in Hyderabad representing rival franchises in the Rugby Premier League. Izyk will turn out for Chennai Bulls, while Kilgour will represent Delhi Redz.
Their presence significantly raises the standard of competition in the newly introduced women’s division. For Indian players, it means direct exposure to athletes who regularly compete against New Zealand, Australia, the United States, France and Fiji—nations that have dominated international rugby sevens for years.
Opportunities of this nature are rare in Indian sport.
While many athletes travel abroad for exposure tours or international competitions, few domestic players get the chance to spend weeks training alongside world-class professionals on a daily basis.
The value of the Rugby Premier League extends far beyond the matches themselves. Indian players will not only observe the technical skills of international stars but also gain insights into professional habits, recovery routines, strength and conditioning standards, tactical preparation and mental approaches to elite competition.
This type of "high-performance cohabitation" has long been considered one of the fastest ways to accelerate athlete development. Sharing dressing rooms, training sessions and match situations with players such as Carmen Izyk and Eden Kilgour allows Indian athletes to absorb lessons that cannot easily be taught through coaching manuals or short training camps.
The impact could be particularly significant for younger players still developing their understanding of the sevens format.
The launch of the women’s Rugby Premier League marks a major milestone for the sport in India. Historically, Indian women rugby players have had limited professional opportunities. Most athletes have operated in amateur environments with minimal financial support and limited exposure to elite international competition.
The RPL is beginning to change that landscape.
The league has attracted international talent from Canada, Fiji, South Africa, Kenya, Brazil and Great Britain, creating a genuinely global competition. Domestic players are also benefiting financially through professional contracts, giving them greater security and allowing them to focus more seriously on their sporting careers.
More importantly, the league provides a platform where Indian talent can be tested against players who have succeeded at the highest level of the game.
India’s women’s rugby sevens programme has shown encouraging progress in recent years, including qualification for major continental events and increasingly competitive performances against stronger Asian opponents. However, closing the gap on the world’s leading nations requires regular exposure to elite standards.
That is precisely what the Rugby Premier League offers.
Every tackle made against an international star, every training drill completed alongside a World Championship medallist and every tactical discussion involving experienced professionals contributes to the development of Indian rugby.
For players such as Shikha Yadav, Amandeep Kaur, Sandhyarani Tudu and several other domestic stars, the tournament represents a unique opportunity to measure themselves against global benchmarks.
The arrival of Carmen Izyk and Eden Kilgour in India is about much more than two overseas signings. It represents the growing credibility of the Rugby Premier League and the increasing ambition of Indian rugby. Only days after helping Canada finish third in the HSBC SVNS World Championship, both players will be stepping onto Indian soil to contribute to the next chapter of the sport’s development.
For Indian women rugby players, it is a chance to learn directly from world-class professionals.
For Indian rugby, it is another sign that the sport is steadily building a pathway capable of producing internationally competitive athletes.
And for fans, it promises a fascinating spectacle as global stars and emerging Indian talent come together in what could become a transformative moment for women’s rugby in the country.
Inspired by Zafaron Indigo
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