Sri Lanka set for historic showdown against Malaysia on 19 April

Friday, 11 April 2025 03:09 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Food partner, Prima Kottu Mee, Head of International Marketing and Business Development Achala Ramanayake handing over sponsor’s cheque to SLR DG Sports and Competent Authority Prof. Shemal Fernando – Pic by Shehan Gunasekera

By Shamseer Jaleel

Sri Lanka is poised for a landmark moment in its rugby history as the national XV a side team prepares to face Malaysia in a crucial Asia Rugby Championship 2025 playoff on 19 April at the Race Course International Stadium, Colombo.

Kick-off is at 4 p.m.

A victory in this high-stakes encounter will elevate Sri Lanka to the elite top 4 tier in Asia Rugby, a feat the nation hasn’t achieved in over a decade. If Sri Lanka qualifies, they will need to play UAE and South Korea at home while their Hong Kong game will be an away one. The winner of the playoff will join the prestigious Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship 2025, competing alongside top-tier nations Hong Kong, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates.

For Sri Lanka, this isn’t just another match it’s the gateway to the biggest stage in world rugby. The championship winner will earn direct qualification to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, while the runner-up will have another shot through a playoff against the second-placed team from the Pacific Islands. The good news for Asian Rugby is that there is a possibility of three teams in the next RWC 2027 in Australia as Japan already qualified for this mega globe event.

The Malaysia National Team is expected to arrive in the coming days and will train and prepare in Colombo. Both teams will also participate in media briefings and official events.

With a 70-member squad gearing up, and a passionate home crowd expected, Sri Lanka Rugby stands on the edge of a new era. Victory over Malaysia could propel the island nation back to the top of Asian rugby and onto the path to the Rugby World Cup. The squad will be reduced to 30 after the selections match which will take place on 11 April at Havelock Park.

The sponsors for the Asia Rugby Championship between Sri Lanka and Malaysia are Colombo Hilton, Prima Kottu Mee, Gordone, Power World and The Papare.

Sri Lanka Head Coach, Sanath Martis speaking to Daily FT said, “ After a long season there are injuries for more than 15 players but this creates an opportunity for the rest of the players who are in hunger to wear the national jersey with passion in front of their home crowd. So, let’s see we will go flat out though we had only a few sessions, will control the controllable. Martis will have CR, Head Coach, Dushanth Lewke as his forwards coach while Havies Head Coach, Saliya Kumara will fine tune the three quarters. The selected 30 on 11 April will train on 12 and 13 before there is a one day off for new year celebration and lads will regroup again on 15 April and will have three more days training before the game on 19 April.

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