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The Sri Lanka Tuskers will host the UAE on Friday, 4 July 2025 the Racecourse Ground in Colombo, looking for their first win in the Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship. The United Arab Emirates will need to win to try and secure second place and keep their own RWC 2027 dreams alive.
The UAE lost their opening game against Hong Kong China at home 10-43 but upset Korea in Incheon in the second round 38-36 to sit on 5 log points. The Tuskers have lost both games, losing narrowly to Korea 34-38 in Colombo, before a heavy loss in Hong Kong 7-78. Their two losing bonus points from the opening leg see them sit at the bottom of the table.
Neither team can win the title, but for the UAE to secure the runner-up spot for the second consecutive year would be a massive achievement and if they beat the Tuskers and Korea doesn’t win on the final weekend, the UAE would follow the RWC 2027 repechage route which involves a Play-Off clash against the second-best team in the Rugby Africa Men’s Cup 2025. The winner of that would progress to the Final Qualification Tournament in Dubai, UAE, from 8-18 November.
Sri Lanka will be trying to win to avoid finishing at the bottom of the table. If they do end last, they would again play in the Asia Rugby Emirates Playoff Match to compete in the Championship in 2026 (with the opposition and further details TBC).
Local Sri Lankan media have bemoaned the loss of key personnel to sickness and injuries, with some senior players opting not to train with the Tuskers, and the team which runs out to try and preserve their top-tier status could well be a second-string XV side.
Tharinda Ratwatte captains the side once again, and back-rower Lasindu Karunathilake is vice-captain for the hosts. It has not been confirmed if interim Kiwi Head Coach Rodney Gibbs will stay on after the AREMC.
The UAE have gone for a settled team and the same starting 1-11 that beat South Korea in the second round will start against Sri Lanka. At #12 (centre), Justin Walsh is replaced by James Crossley. There is also a slight change to the back three with Jack Stapley, Niko Voloavola (who scored a hat-trick against the Koreans) and Gerard Pieterse starting.
UAE Head Coach Jacques Benade will need his whole squad to keep their discipline as they have been poor with conceding yellow cards over the past 12 months.
A shorthanded team will be exposed by the agile and dangerous Tuskers backs – but if their pack can get dominance, which they should based on what we have seen across the opening two rounds, the visitors should be able to secure a win in Colombo.
- Referee: Craig Chan (HKCR)
- Assistant Referees: Matt Rodden, Sunny Lee (HKCR)
- TMO: Simon Dodd (UAERF)
- Performance Reviewers: Dilroy Fernando, Dewi Rowlands
You can find out more about the RWC 2027 pathway here.
Match Permutations – Sri Lanka vs UAE
Sri Lanka is ranked 40th, and the UAE have climbed to 43rd according to the World Rugby rankings.
- More TBC
Sri Lanka Squad vs UAE – July 4 2025
Preliminary Squad* Will be updated if the final squad is announced in time before the fixture.
Forwards
- Malitha Wijesundara
- Shamika Kaushan
- Vimukthi Gamage
- Naveen Marasinghe
- Thilina Bandara
- Nizran Nillar
- Tharindu Chathuranga
- Lasindu Karunathilake – (Vice Captain)
- Dushmantha Priyadarshana
- Pulasthi Dasanayake
- Nirosh Perera
- Amjad Faumy
- Dilshan Jaya
- Chathura Soysa
Backs
- Mohamed Rifan
- Tharinda Ratwatte – (Captain)
- Dinal Ekanayake
- Akash Madusanka
- Adam Gauder
- Pasindu Bandara
- Musheed Doray
- Shaahid Zumri
- Primesh Dhanushka
- Thenuka Nanayakkara
- Naveen Kanishka
UAE Men’s XV Squad vs Sri Lanka – July 4 2025
How To Watch the 2025 Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship
All six matches of the 2025 Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship will be streamed live and free via RugbyPassTV and Asia Rugby Facebook and YouTube.
