Monday Feb 23, 2026
Monday Feb 23, 2026
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CR Winger and National player Pasindu Bandara to play a vital role for Reds
By Shamseer Jaleel
It will be a rehearsal for the Super Final and a decisive battle for home advantage when defending champions and table leaders Kandy Sports Club confront second-placed CR and FC in the final Super Round fixture of the Inter-Club Rugby League 2025/2026 at Longdon Place tonight.
The Valentine’s Day showdown, scheduled for a 6.30 p.m. kick-off under lights, promises a high-intensity contest between the competition’s two frontrunners, with the venue for the Grand Final hanging in the balance for a very first time Sri Lanka Rugby changing the rules where a League will have a knock out final a week later.
Kandy lead the table with 51 points, three ahead of CR. The equation is simple: a draw will be enough for the champions to secure a home Grand Final at Nittawela, while the Reds must claim an outright win to bring the title decider to Longdon Place.
The hill capital outfit will arrive in a confident mood after an emphatic win over Havelock Sports Club. Having endured a demanding run of fixtures in Colombo’s humid conditions, Kandy appear to have timed their return to peak form perfectly. Once again CH game in round 2 too ending in a draw with both their encounters against Gymkhana Club was never short of drama beyond their control.
Skipper Tharindu Chathuranga leads a formidable outfit featuring Dilshan Fareed and Thilina Bandara, with Dahan Wickramarachchi anchoring at No. 8. The addition of 20-year-old Tongan forward Salesi Havea has strengthened their loose play, while scrum-half Heshan Jansen provides sharp service at the base.
Out wide, Kavindu Perera, Dinal Ekanayake and Akash Madushanka offer pace and finishing power, with Soori steady at fullback. With Diluksha Dange suspended, Gayan Perera is expected to bolster the midfield. Goal-kicking responsibilities rest with the reliable Hirusha Sampath who has improved tremendously giving less headache for their Head Coach, Fazil Marija.
CR, marshalled by Lasindu Karunathilake, remains dangerous despite an inconsistent Super Round. The Reds rebounded strongly against CH after a setback to Havelocks and will look to their key performers to deliver on the big stage.
Thenuka Nanayakkara’s accuracy off the tee, along with the influence of Mursheed Doray and Manilka Ruberu, will be crucial. Their Head Coach will be probably looking forward to a win and Grand Final at Longdon Place before he relocates to the Middle East in a couple of months.
British born now in UAE, James Fairbourn will officiate this encounter. James is an Asia Rugby Elite official, will control proceedings in what promises to be a defining night in the league season.
