By Shamseer Jaleel
Sri Lankan schools rugby will enter a new chapter with the launch of the inaugural NEXT XV franchise rugby tournament, bringing together 140 schoolboy players in a four-team competition from 19 September to 10 October at CR and FC Ground, Longdon Place.
The first game will kick off tomorrow (19) at 6 pm, and the second game will be at 8 p.m.
The tournament will feature four franchises: Colombo Aces, Kandy Tuskers, Galle Lions and Jaffna Bulls, with each squad comprising 35 players. Organisers have also guaranteed game time for every player during the four-week competition, making it one of the biggest talent development initiatives introduced in schools rugby.
NEXT XV will serve as the official national selection tournament for Sri Lanka Rugby. National selectors will closely monitor performances before naming a 40-member training squad for the Junior Asia Rugby Tournament, which Sri Lanka will host in Colombo this December.
The regional championship will feature Sri Lanka, Hong Kong China, Chinese Taipei and South Korea, with the winners securing Asia’s qualification berth for the 2027 Junior World Rugby Tournament.
The competition will begin with a three-round league stage before culminating in the third-place playoff and the grand final on 10 October.
Several leading school captains and standout performers from the recently concluded Schools Elite Rugby Sevens Championship have been drafted into the franchises. Shaakib Zumri has been appointed captain of the Colombo Aces, while Disas Pathirana will lead the Jaffna Bulls in their opening game, with Kandy Tuskers to be led by Pawan Liyanagama for their first game.
The NEXT XV franchise skippers
Colombo Aces: Shaakib Zumri
Jaffna Bulls: Disas Pathirana
Kandy Tuskers: Pawan Liyanagama
Galle Lions: To be appointed
Colombo Aces
Shaakib Zumri (capt), Hakeem Chunchi, Nisith Kumarasinghe (both vice captains), Evin Jayasena, Mohamed Fawaz, R. M. S. Bandara, Abdul Muzil, Kevin Weerakoon, Tuan Jayah, Deneth Chamuditha, A. N. Ahamed, Udan Bulathsinhalage, Abdul Ghani, Keshara Rahul, Inosh Silva, W. R. M. Gunathilake, Dinuka Perera, Nelith Hapugalle, Thenula Costa, Shevon Yanush, Thisun Perera, Hiruka Jayadinu, Ameen Rifaz, Sankitha Thewmin, Imadh Inam, Sadev Liyanage, Shaveen De Soysa, Nisal Chathura, Manuga Jayaweera, Lisath Pathirana, Shifaan Inthikab, Diyon Pietersz and Danitha Prabodha.
Kandy Tuskers
Pawan Liyanagama (capt), Minula Yaddehige, Achintha Jayasena, Afham Abdeen, Nethshan Manthusha, Mayanka Dias, Abdul Sallay, Methuka Wickramaratne, Raswin Sabar, M. H. M. Zain, Senuth Dissanayake, Zulfikar Saifullah, Maduranga de Silva, Tharusha Gimhana, Nethsara Lakkitha, Sanija Jayasuriya, Yehen Anavaratne, Hansaka Fernando, Demith Silva, Akira Yatawara, S. N. Haniffa, Simak Shafeek, Sachintha Uduwara, Geethma Dissanayake, M. S. Shafraz, J. M. D. A. Jayasundara, Manuja Boteju, Resandu Sahas, Chamith Samarasinghe, Nethula Dissanayake, Ayaan Hussain, Amindu Rajapaksha, Wagisha Dissanayake, Sasindu Dissanayake and Sandaru Dissanayake.
Jaffna Bulls
Disas Pathirana (capt), Udan Wijekoon, Nimantha Seneviratne, Hamza Abdeen, Nevith Manthusha, McKyle Karunaratne, Revone Perera, Dimath Bandara, Tatheera Dahamdiv, Praveen Lakmal, Jehan Gunasekara, Rehan Attanayake, A. M. C. Ahamed, Kaizer Lye, Naveed Thahir, Akeesha Pushpakumara, Irosh Jayasinghe, P. B. Bandara, Savistha Fernando, Menusha Marasinghe, Parthana Sanjana, Mukshidh Siyam, Pasindu Bandara, Damsath Peiris, Vinuja Jayathilake, Talish Soysa, Bilal Nazeer, Dinal Ekanayake, Jayathu Rajaratne, Dion Fernando, Methuka Mindula, Raaid Mazar, Tharush Aditya, Sheveen Nethsara and Madushan Jayarathna.
Galle Lions
Shan Althaf, Damian Perera, R. W. M. Hasindu, Shenuka Perera, Sadeesha Weerasinghe, Habeeb Uzni, M. R. M. Rifaz, Sahib Ishan, Ammaar Minhaz, Ashaz Akram, Ashlin de Silva, Thewan Siriwardhane, Yohan Gunawardena, Prathish Yapa, Shaheed Zumri, Nithika Fernando, Methupa Bandara, Ravindu Anjula, Januka Perera, Limasha Thathsarani, Jamaal Wakeel, I. J. M. Ahamed, Abdul Rahuman, Shevon Jayasuriya, Risindu Hewawasam, M. I. M. Rizan, Mandila Wickramasinghe, Shashika Madusanka, Aniq Kaleel, Ishen Bandara, Sithum Liyanage, S. K. Tharuka, Amindu Rajapaksha, Randeera Fernando and Akash Madusanka.
Fixtures
19 September
- Kandy Tuskers vs. Colombo Aces (6 pm); Referee: Kamesh Fernando; Match Commissioner: Mohamed Rahuman
- Galle Lions vs. Jaffna Bulls (8 pm); Referee: Hasantha Weranga; Match Commissioner: Thanuja Kulatunge
25 September
- Colombo Aces vs. Jaffna Bulls (6 pm)
- Kandy Tuskers vs. Galle Lions (8 pm)
2 October
- Jaffna Bulls vs. Kandy Tuskers (6 pm)
- Galle Lions vs. Colombo Aces (8 pm)
10 October
- 3rd place playoff (6 pm)
- Grand final (8 pm)
