Final leg of Asia Rugby Sevens Series 2025 gets underway in Colombo today

The final leg of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series 2025 is scheduled to get underway at the Racecourse International Stadium in Colombo today.

The two-day event will feature 24 men’s and women’s teams including heavyweights Japan, Hong Kong, China and hosts Sri Lanka.

The Colombo event follows the opening leg, which was worked off in Hangzhou, China, on 20 and 21 September.

Hong Kong went on to beat Japan 32-12 in the final to win the Men’s Championship in China while in the Women’s segment, Japan secured the title after beating China 24-19 in the final.

Sri Lanka finished fourth in the Men’s segment in China while the Lankan ladies were placed ninth in the Women’s segment.

Based on the results in the opening leg in China last month, Hong Kong has been ranked no.1 for the Colombo leg ahead of Japan in the Men’s segment while Japan and China are ranked first and second in the Women’s category.

Men’s standings:

1. Hong Kong China

2. Japan

3. China

4. Sri Lanka

5. UAE

6. Malaysia

7. Korea

8. Chinese Taipei

9. Uzbekistan

10. Singapore

11. Thailand

12. Philippines

 

Women’s standings:

1. Japan

2. China

3. Hong Kong China

4. Thailand

5. Kazakhstan

6. India

7. UAE

8. Malaysia

9. Sri Lanka

10. Singapore

11. Philippines

12. Indonesia

 

In the men’s segment, Sri Lanka has been pooled along with China, Uzbekistan and Singapore in Group C.

Sri Lanka will kick-start the campaign in Colombo with a game against Uzbekistan at 12:40 p.m. today.

The Tuskers will then take on Singapore at 5:04 p.m. and in the final game the Kavindu Perera-led team will take on China at 9:50 p.m. under floodlights.

In the Women’s segment, Sri Lanka will take on Thailand at 10:28 a.m., Hong Kong at 3:14 p.m. and Singapore at 7:16 p.m.

The play-off and knock-out round games will get underway at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow.

The Sri Lanka Men’s team will be led by Kandy Sports Club winger Kavindu Perera while Randika Kumudumali will lead the Women’s outfit who are keen to improve their standings in the Asian circuit.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka rugby has arranged free entry to spectators on both days of the Championship.

 

Sri Lanka Men’s squad:

1. Kavindu Perera - Captain
2. Gayan Perera
3. Kalana Chamuditha
4. Akash Madusanka
5. Dinal Ekanayake
6. Yehan Bulathsinghela
7. Heshan Jansen
8. Diluksha Dange
9. Janindu Dilshan
10. Chathura Soysa
11. Srinath Sooriyabandara
12. Suranga Tennakoon
13. Dharshana Dabare

 

Sri Lanka’s Women’s squad:

1. Randika Kumudumali
2. Sanju Wijethilake
3. Shanika Madumali
4. Jayanthi Kumari
5. Sarani Nayanathara
6. Sandika Hemakumari
7. Diliki Sathsarani
8. Dilini Kanchana
9. Charani Thikshana
10. Kanchana Mahendran
11. LG Jayasingha
12. NM Jayasingha
13. Hekasini Krishnakumar