Nippon Paint Clifford Cup 2023: Century plus years old cup kicks off on Saturday

By Shamseer Jaleel

The 112-year-old Clifford Cup Knock out Rugby Tournament 2023 will be kicked off in Colombo at Race Course and CR and FC ground on 26 February.

Both Defe-nding League champions, Kandy SC and CH and FC pulled out of this tournament which will leave six teams to battle it out for honours. 

This tournament will be played after a lapse of three years and is the oldest rugby tournament in South Asia.

CR who are celebrating their Centenary year are the favoured team and Navy SC both receiving bye and direct semi-final appearances for them.

Semi-finals will be played on 1 and 2 March with the finals scheduled for 5 March. All encounters will be now played at the Race Course and Longdon Place with Kandy Sports Club pulling out from the event which will see the glamour of the tournament reduced badly. All matches kick off at 4 p.m.

26 Feb. 

•  Police SC vs Air Force  SC at Racecourse

Referee Hasantha Weranga

•  Havelock SC vs Army SC at Longdon Place

Referee Raveen Alexander

Winners of the Clifford Cup Tournament since 2000

•  2000 to 2005 (Kandy SC)
•  2006 (CR and FC)
•  2007 to 2012 (Kandy SC)
•  2013 (No tournament)
•  2014 (Navy SC)
•  2015 to 2018 (Kandy SC)
•  2019 (Havelock SC)
•  2020—2022 (No tournament)