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It's only an irony that India, the second oldest rugby playing nation, is struggling to find its feet on the international arena.

As sport fights a battle for existence in the country, the rugby community is trying every trick in the book to increase the popularity of the sport, especially as India are preparing to welcome rugby powerhouses as they host the Commonwealth Games next year.

Rugby India's development manager Greg Davey wants to keep the formula simple for now -- approach the Army and Policemen, while simultaneously encouraging children to take up the sport.

More than half of the current Indian team comprises of men from the army and Davey knows why this is the case. "Not only are the guys from the army and police fit but they have a great attitude towards the game too.”

"It's sad that army men miss out on promotion and other such incentives since rugby is not an Olympic sport," added Jarrad Callagher, International Rugby Board's Regional General Manager for Asia who is currently in India for 'Train the Trainer', the first ever IRB level 1 coaches' coaching course in India.

Ruing about not having money, which is seen as the biggest factor hindering the sport, Davey believes if some attention is paid to the infrastructure at least, a lot of good things can happen.

"I don't want to sound critical but I feel the government should work on providing playgrounds. If we can have at least one more open space like the Bombay Gymkhana in the city for rugby, believe me, it will work wonders for the sport," Davey said.

Although with the Commonwealth Games coming up next year in Delhi, this will provide a great platform to showcase Indian Sevens on a global stage and help to promote the sport in the country, as any event like this does – as seen with the IRB Junior World Championship in Japan last month and more recently the 2009 World Games in Chinese Taipei taking place at the moment. With first Asian Sevens Series starting this season, the East Asian Games to take place in December, there is evidence of growth in this part of the world and India are keen to part of this future.

Davey joined the Indian team 16 months ago as the development manager. During this period, he has observed that rugby has moved up a level in the country and is enthralled by the interest shown by the children.

"The first thing I noticed in India is that players play just for the passion. There is no money, no other incentives," Davey said. "How good was it to see a girl's team from Jammu and Kashmir participate in the Rugby 7s tournament here recently."

Meanwhile, Callagher stresses: "You have to compete to climb up the ladder. Before the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, India should play more and more matches so that they know their strengths and weaknesses. Only then can they put on a good show in these events," he said.

The Indian team will be traveling to South Africa on July 30 for an exposure trip and to New Zealand later in the year. The IRB also plan to bring a couple of celebrity rugby players here to generate excitement among the masses.