All eyes on berth for AR Top 4 in 2025

By Shamseer Jaleel

Colombo will host its XV International rugby after a lapse of almost 9 years when the Asia Rugby Division 1 championship, which will kick off today at the Racecourse rugby ground with Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) hosting the event.

Last time SLR organised an International XV a side event was in 2015 when Poland and Madagascar along with Sri Lanka played in the three nations event at the same venue. A unique feature being African, European and Asian region teams locking horns for the very first time back in 2015.

The ultimate prize for the champions this year at this AR Division 1 is the promotion to the Asia Rugby Top 4 in 2025.

Two exciting matches will take place on 30 April. Qatar will go head-to-head with Kazakhstan in what promises to be a closely contested encounter.

On the same day under lights a packed Stadium is expected when Sri Lanka, the host nation, will take on an unpredictable Indian outfit.

The winners of the first day’s matches will face off in a clash of titans. This match promises to be a real spectacle, as both teams will be aiming to assert their dominance and secure a place in the much-coveted Asia Rugby Top 4. The losers from the initial days matches will also have a chance at redemption, battling it out in a fierce showdown to determine their final standings with the danger of waiting for the last placed (4th) team to be demoted to Division 2 in 2025.

Asia Rugby Division 1 Championship holds immense significance as the champions of this event will secure promotion to the Asia Rugby Top 4 in 2025, the pinnacle of the region’s rugby ladder. This provides a golden opportunity for teams to enhance their standing and show their talent on a prestigious international stage. At present Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia and UAE play in the AR Top 4.

All eyes will be on Colombo as teams strive to etch their names into the history books and secure a ticket to the Asia Rugby Top 4.

Nippon Paint will be the title sponsor.

The Media Liaison Officer of the AR Division 1 for SLR is Gayathri Wickremasinghe.

Match schedule

30 April (at Racecourse)

Qatar vs Kazakhstan at 4 p.m.

Referee: Ishanka Abeykoon

Match Commissioner: Kavinda Jayasena  

CMO: David Harper (UAE)

Sri Lanka vs India at 7 p.m. (Under lights)

Referee: Just Wang (Singapore)

Match Commissioner: Lauren Maree Mudgway (Qatar)

CMO: Anil Jayasinghe

4 May  Play off for 3rd place at 4 p.m.

Promotion for AR Top 4 at 7 p.m.

Probable starting XV for Indian game: Charith Silva, Pulasthi Dasanayaka, Janidu Fernando, Suhiru Anthony (C), Raveen de Silva, Adeesha weerathunga , Tharindu Chathuranga, Lasindu Karunathilaka, Heshan Jenson, Thenuka Nanayakkara, Dinal Ekanayake, Tarinda Ratwatte (VC), Akash Madusanka, Sudaraka Dickubura and Mursheed Doray

Reserves: Azimir Fajudeen, Dushmantha Priyadarshana, Faiz Abdulla, Shasika Fernando, Nalaka Maduranga, Kavindu Costa, Hirantha Perera, Hirusha Nethmina, Stephan Gregory, Venura Kodagoda and Lahiru Thilakarathna

Head Coach Sanath Martis; Forwards Dushantha Lewke and Three Quarters Nilfer Ibrahim.

Pix by Lasantha Kumara