The Hyderabad Heroes were crowned champions of the HSBC Rugby Premier League Season 2 after producing a dominant display to defeat Mumbai Dreamers 41-17 in the final at the Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad on Sunday.
Playing in front of an enthusiastic home crowd, the Heroes delivered one of their best performances of the season to lift their maiden Rugby Premier League trophy. The hosts combined aggressive attacking rugby with disciplined defending to outclass Mumbai and cap off a remarkable campaign.
Hyderabad started the final brightly and quickly took control of the contest through swift counter-attacks and impressive ball movement. Key players, including Francisco Cosculluela, Manuel Moreno and Shivam Shukla, played crucial roles in the victory with their attacking contributions and defensive intensity.
Mumbai Dreamers fought hard and managed to stay in the contest during the early stages, with Ethan McFarland scoring an important try. However, Hyderabad's relentless tempo and clinical finishing proved too much for the Dreamers, who struggled to contain the home side's attacking waves.
The Heroes had reached the final after edging past Chennai Bulls 29-24 in a thrilling semi-final, while Mumbai Dreamers secured their place in the title clash with a narrow 7-5 victory over Bengaluru Bravehearts. The final, however, turned out to be a one-sided affair as Hyderabad completely dominated the proceedings.
The victory marks a significant moment for rugby in India and especially for Hyderabad, which hosted the second edition of the tournament. The 2026 season also saw the introduction of a women's competition, highlighting the growing popularity and development of the sport in the country.
Rugby India President Rahul Bose praised the success of the tournament, saying the second season had been "bigger and better" with larger crowds and an even higher standard of competition.
Meanwhile, Bengaluru Bravehearts finished third after defeating Chennai Bulls 22-19 in the play-off match.
For Hyderabad Heroes, the emphatic victory over Mumbai Dreamers will be remembered as a historic achievement, as they etched their name into the Rugby Premier League record books and brought the championship trophy home in style.
