The Sri Lanka national rugby team will lock horns with South Korea this evening in a high-stakes Asia Rugby Men’s Championship 2025 clash at the Race Course Stadium in Colombo at 4 p.m. today (13).
This pivotal match also serves as a qualifier for the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup, adding an extra layer of intensity to an already high-profile encounter. With regional powerhouse Japan having already booked their ticket to the global tournament in Australia, the remaining four contenders — Sri Lanka, South Korea, Hong Kong China, and the UAE — are battling for the prized Asia 1 spot.
Sri Lanka, ranked 39th in the world, earned their return to Asia’s top flight in emphatic fashion, defeating Malaysia 59–19 in April at the same venue. The Tuskers delivered an electrifying performance in front of home fans, marked by fast-paced, attacking rugby, a style they’ll be eager to replicate today.
Leading the team is seasoned Kandy SC fly-half Tarinda Ratwatte, who will don the captain’s armband. The squad is under the guidance of New Zealand’s Rodney Gibbs, who took over as head coach in the lead-up to the tournament. Long-serving rugby figure Inthi Marikar, newly appointed as Director of Rugby, has been instrumental in shaping the team’s preparations.
Their opponents, South Korea, come into the match ranked 35th in the world and will present a stern test. Both teams are aware that a victory today brings them a step closer to World Cup qualification just three matches separate them from a potential berth in Australia.
The runner-up of the Asia Rugby Men’s Championship 2025 will also remain in contention, advancing to a critical playoff against Africa 2 for a place in the Final Qualification Tournament, slated for November in Dubai.
For Sri Lanka, this evening’s clash is more than just a game — it’s a statement of ambition. With the home crowd behind them and momentum from their dominant win over Malaysia, the Tuskers will be aiming to seize the moment and move one step closer to rugby’s biggest stage.
Sri Lanka will next face Hong Kong in the tournament.
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