Kalinga Black Tigers head coach Mike Friday hailed the GMR Rugby Premier League RPL as a groundbreaking platform blending international excellence with domestic talent to help Indiarsquos rugby dream flourish. A former rugby sevens player himself Mike Friday proceeded to become England Sevensrsquo most successful coach to date leading them to 10 titles during his tenure while also securing a Commonwealth Games silver medal in 2006. He has also played a significant role in building legacies across the teams he has coached including Kenya Sevensrsquo and USA Sevensrsquo teams. Now taking up a new challenge at the GMR RPL he described the leaguersquos unique appeal stating ldquoItrsquos a very innovative format a perfect balance between international players and domestic players. When yoursquore trying to grow the sport and build capability itrsquos crucial to include domestic players in that development. Itrsquos a fantastic experience for them not only in game time but more importantly in training time.rdquo He explained how Indian players will benefit from the exposure theyrsquoll get throughout the tournament. ldquoDuring training they get exposed to physical technical tactical and mental development from the senior international players which they can then take back to their team and to the next generation of Indian playersrdquo Friday reckoned. ldquoI love that cradle-to-grave idea - creating the legacy for Indian players tomorrow. I think thatrsquos what the RPL provides allowing India to dare to dream and achieve their Olympic dreamrdquo he added. Must ReadInd vs Eng Test series Sai Sudharsan opens up about lessons learnt from Virat Kohli Asked about coaching in this league format with top players who donrsquot often play together Friday called the experience ldquounique and one that will come with lifetime memories.rdquo ldquoPlayers who normally go head-to-head country against country come together to represent their region and the Indians of today and tomorrow. Itrsquos a special honour. Wersquore here for a reason - not just to win but to inspire Indian rugby players and help them become the best versions of themselves. That is humbling and very exciting.rdquo On the emerging domestic talent Friday praised young playersrsquo resilience especially Arjun Mahato. ldquoItrsquos very hard for Indian players. On occasions theyrsquove been thrown into the deep end going under the water a lot. But the challenge is to survive in the deep water. Theyrsquore improving every session. I tell them you have to get it wrong to get it right - thatrsquos what theyrsquore doing and learning.rdquo He singled out Arjun for rising to the challenge saying ldquoHersquos confident knows what to do but more importantly hersquos ready to discuss why. Thatrsquos half the challenge. Indian players tend to wait to be told what to do but they need to understand why we do it. Then they can teach rather than just be taught. Arjun is already embracing that.rdquo On the leaguersquos organization and facilities Friday was effusive in praise. ldquoThe league has done fantastically well. Itrsquos easy to look from the outside and think itrsquos simple but therersquos so much behind-the-scenes business. The RPL has done extremely well. Therersquos been fantastic work getting all the owners on board and bringing in the best players and coaches in the world.rdquo ldquoWersquore excited inspired and ready to add to a legacy. Kudos to RPL kudos to GMR kudos to India Rugbyrdquo Friday concluded.