Manuel Moreno to Lead Hyderabad Heroes Again for Rugby Premier League Season-2
Hyderabad, June 11 (TNT): Spanish rugby star Manuel Moreno will continue as captain of Hyderabad Heroes for Season 2 of the Rugby Premier League (RPL), while Indian international Sumit Kumar Roy has been named vice-captain of the franchise.
The Hyderabad-based side, owned by KLO Sports, made the announcement here on Thursday during the unveiling of its official jersey ahead of the second season of the league, which is scheduled to begin on June 16 at the Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad.
Hyderabad Heroes finished with a bronze medal in the inaugural season and will be aiming for a stronger finish this year under the leadership of Moreno and Roy.
“Season 1 with the Hyderabad Heroes was an extremely fulfilling experience and definitely a team that I take great pride in leading. We had a tremendous outing last season but have unfinished business in the Rugby Premier League,” Moreno said.
He described the opportunity to lead the team alongside Roy as a chance to blend different leadership styles while pursuing the common goal of winning the title.
Roy, one of India’s leading rugby players and a former captain of the national team, said he was looking forward to another successful campaign with the franchise.
“Continuing with the Hyderabad Heroes is very special to me. Having the legendary DJ Forbes as head coach is an honour and every day during the season is a learning experience,” he said.
Moreno is currently a member of the Spanish national rugby team and is regarded among the leading players in the international Sevens circuit. Roy emerged as the highest-valued Indian player at the Rugby Premier League auction earlier this year.
KLO Sports Co-owner Srinath Chitoori expressed confidence in the squad and said hosting the tournament in Hyderabad would help popularise rugby in the city.
“Season 1 was exciting and we look forward to an even better Season 2. We have immense faith in our squad and in the leadership of DJ Forbes,” he said.
Head coach DJ Forbes welcomed the decision to retain Moreno as captain and appoint Roy as vice-captain.
“Manu led the team well last year and brings continuity to the squad. Sumit has been a rising star for Indian rugby and this role will help him develop further both on and off the field,” Forbes said.
The Hyderabad Heroes squad includes Manuel Moreno, Kevin Wekesa, Regan Ware, Maurice Longbottom, Francisco Cosculluela, Wolfram Hacker, Ravuama Seruvakula, Diego Ardao, Taitaifono Senio Tavita, Sambit Pradhan, Sumit Kumar Roy, Shivam Shukla, Rajan Rawat and Muhammed Anes K.
The franchise will begin its campaign against Bengaluru Bravehearts in the opening match of the Rugby Premier League Season 2 on June 16.
The jersey launch event was attended by KLO Sports Co-owner Srinath Chitoori, Rugby India President and Rugby Premier League Commissioner Rahul Bose, GMR Sports Vice President and CMO Sujoy Ganguly, head coach DJ Forbes, captain Manuel Moreno and vice-captain Sumit Kumar Roy.
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