By Shamseer Jaleel
The much-anticipated President’s Trophy 2025 Inter-Schools Rugby Championship, conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA), is set to kick off today (April 25).
This year’s edition promises to be one of the most fiercely contested in recent memory, as top-tier school teams from across the island prepare to battle for supremacy. With fixtures lined up at Royal Complex, Longdon Place (CR & FC), and Havelock Park, fans can expect an exhilarating display of schoolboy rugby over the coming days. Isipathana are the defending champions who beat St. Peters last year. Greens were led by Nisaja Jayaweera with Shaahid Zumri was the player of the final.
The opening day of action today there will witness two exciting pre-quarter final clashes. Dharmaraja College will lock horns with D.S. Senanayake College at the CR & FC grounds. Both teams bring contrasting styles to the game — Dharmaraja with their structured, set-piece oriented play, and DS with their fast-paced backline moves. Meanwhile, Wesley College will face off against St Joseph’s College, a fixture that is expected to be closely fought. Both sides have been in good form during the league stages and will look to bring that momentum into this crucial knockout encounter.
The intensity rises on 26 April with a packed schedule of four matches. The headline clash of the day will take place under lights at CR & FC, where traditional Kandy rivals Trinity College and St. Anthony’s College go head-to-head. This encounter, steeped in history and emotion, is expected to draw large crowds. Trinity’s flair in the backline, paired with their aggressive breakdown play, will be tested by the Antonians’ solid forward pack and tactical kicking game. Earlier in the day, S. Thomas’ College will meet Science College at the same venue at 4 p.m., in what should be a physical contest between two sides known for their gritty forward play.
At the Royal Complex, defending champions Isipathana College will begin their title defence against Sumangala College. Isipathana, a powerhouse in schools rugby, will look to assert their dominance early in the tournament with a statement win. Their dynamic attacking game and disciplined defence have been trademarks of their recent success. Also on 26 April, Vidyartha College will take on Zahira College at Havelock Park. This match pits two underdog teams against each other, both hungry to prove their worth and advance deeper into the tournament. Zahira’s physicality will be met by Vidyartha’s well-drilled game plan and kicking game.
The final two pre-quarter finals are scheduled for 27 April at the Royal Complex. In the first game, St. Peter’s College will take on Thurstan College. The Peterites, known for their expansive style of play, are expected to bring flair and speed to the contest. Thurstan, however, will be no pushover, and their recent performances have shown they are capable of pulling off an upset. The last pre-quarter final will be a clash of heavyweights as Royal College squares off against Kingswood College at CR & FC. Royal, with the advantage of home ground and their trademark “Royal maul”, will look to grind down Kingswood’s resistance, but the Kandy school is more than capable of responding with their own brand of high-energy, fast-paced rugby.
With eight high-octane matches spread across three days, the tournament offers no shortage of thrilling rugby. The matchups have been carefully seeded to maintain competitive balance while also honouring traditional school rivalries. The early rounds will be vital, not just in determining the semi-finalists but also in showcasing the young talent that could go on to represent Sri Lanka at the senior level. Coaches will look to manage squad rotation while maintaining peak performance in these back-to-back fixtures.
Beyond the action on the pitch, the President’s Trophy continues to play a critical role in developing grassroots rugby in Sri Lanka. For many players, this tournament represents the culmination of years of dedication, training, and school pride. It also gives scouts and national selectors an opportunity to identify future stars of the game. The SLSRFA’s efforts in organizing and elevating this tournament have helped raise the standards of school rugby and foster a vibrant rugby culture in the country.
As fans fill the stands and old boys rally behind their alma maters, the atmosphere surrounding the President’s Trophy is set to be electric. With historic rivalries being renewed, rising stars set to shine, and school pride on the line, this year’s edition promises unforgettable moments, nail-biting finishes, and the kind of raw passion that only schools rugby in Sri Lanka can offer. From the first whistle on 25 April to the final try in the grand finale, all eyes will be on the battlegrounds of Colombo as the nation’s top schoolboy talent writes the next chapter in Sri Lanka’s rugby legacy.
All day matches at 4 p.m
April 25
At Longdon Place
Dharmaraja vs DS
Referee Jeewaka Fonseka
At Royal Sports Comlex
Wesley vs St Josephs
Reeferee Raveen Alexander
April 26
At Havelock Park
Zahira vs Vidyartha
Referee Ishanka Abeykoon
Royal Sports Complex
Isipathana vs Sri Sumangala
Referee Charani Liyanage
At Longdon Place
S Thomas vs Science
Referee Nalin Lasantha
Trinity vs St Anthony’s (under lights) at 6:30 p.m.
Referee Aruna Shantha
April 27
At Longdon Place
Royal vs Kingswood
Referee Gihan Yatawara
At Havelock Park
St Peters vs Thurstan
Referee Tharindu Perera
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