The Indian rugby team, the first-ever to participate in an international event, will play Singapore on October 26 in its opening encounter. This was announced by senior vice-president of the Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU), Pramod Khanna, at a press conference at Bombay Gymkhana last night.The 24-member squad, sponsored by Famous Grouse -- they also support the Scottish national side and China, the newest member of the International Rugby Board will attend a coaching camp in Sri Lanka for a week before they set out to Singapore.

Captain Aga Raza Hussain, while expressing delight at the opportunity to lead the team, said India will be the surprise package of the meet. ``We don't know what to expect from the other sides, and the same applies to them. We are unknown quantities and that is our advantage,''he stated.

Asian giants Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan are in Group A while the two new entrants, India and China, along with hosts Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Sri Lanka, are in Group B.

The Group A winner would be declared the overall winner of the Asian Rugby Championship and would automatically qualify for the Rugby World Cup to be held next year at Wales.

The team: Aga Hussain (cap, Bombay Gym), Herman Balsara (vc, Calcutta Cricket and Football Club), Nasser Hussain, Chaitanya Singh, Minal Pastala, Rahul Bose, Samir Saraiya, Kunal Bhansali, Rajiv Sathe, Elliot Moss (all Bombay Gym), Sunil Jadhav (MSP), Maurice Martin, Akil Sapru (both CCFC), Deepak Mandody, Nadim Alam, Vilayat Ahmed, Pankaj Tandon (all La Martinere Old Boys), Hovik Avanessian, Henrik Terchoonian, Emil Vartazarian, Peter Osipof, Vahik Andressian, Ganik Zadoorian (all Armenian Sports Club), Kuldip Singh Bist (Delhi Rugby Football Club). Manager: Manek Unwala (Bombay Gymkhana). Physio: Junaid Jamkhanewala (BombayGymkhana).