Sri Lanka is poised to enter a new phase in schoolboy rugby with the introduction of The Next XV, a franchise-based competition set to debut this September. The tournament will feature 140 of the country’s top young rugby players, distributed across four city-based franchises, and marks a significant step toward professionalizing the grassroots game.
The inaugural league is scheduled to commence on September 19 and run through October 10, with matches held every Saturday. Each week will offer double-headers, including one evening game played under floodlights. The competition will begin with a league stage over the first three Saturdays, followed by a third-place playoff and a grand final on the closing weekend.
Designed not only as a tournament but also as a national selection platform, The Next XV aims to give all participating players visibility before national team selectors. Each franchise will field 35 players, ensuring that every participant receives game time throughout the four-week competition.
The four franchises representing key regions are the Galle Lions, Colombo Aces, Kandy Tuskers, and Jaffna Bulls. Ownership groups comprise individuals with strong ties to Sri Lankan rugby and business. The Galle Lions are owned by Shamal Perera, Oli Scarr, and Dinuk Wijeyaratne; the Colombo Aces by Viren Beruwalage, Saurika Livindu, and Thehan Wijemanne; the Kandy Tuskers by Tharanga Gunasekera, Prasad Dissanayake, Shah Doole, and Hemanga Karunasena; and the Jaffna Bulls by Udesh Dharmadasa, Prad Navaratnam, and Dhovika Seneviratne.
Each team’s coaching panel features respected figures in Sri Lankan rugby. Farzil Marija will coach the Kandy Tuskers, Radhika Hettiarachchi leads the Colombo Aces, Asela Deshapriya heads the Jaffna Bulls, and Rohan Chinthaka is in charge of the Galle Lions.
The concept originates from Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) President and former player Pavithra Fernando, who emphasized the competition’s potential to bridge the gap between school-level rugby and national representation. Fernando highlighted the abundance of talent in the country and the need for a structured pathway that provides exposure and clear development opportunities for young players.
Eventistry Sports, acting as the Event Rights Holder and the official marketing, media, and event management partner, is tasked with delivering a professional franchise experience. Co-founders Karin Wijeratne and Ifham Ariff noted that The Next XV leverages Sri Lanka’s strong rugby heritage and fan passion to enhance commercial partnerships and media coverage.
All matches will be broadcast live on Peo Sports and streamed via KSN Live, guaranteeing extensive nationwide visibility. The competition has secured Jetour, distributed by Euro Motors, as title partner, with SLT-Mobitel serving as the powered-by partner. Additional support comes from Sports Nutrition Hub, Cinnamon Life, Food Studio, Richardson outdoor media, and KSN production.
Although The Next XV will begin with four franchises, organizers have plans for expansion in the second season. This growth will include new cities and increased player participation, broadening the scope of Sri Lanka’s newest rugby competition.