• Tuskers finish last after loss  

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) defeated Sri Lanka by 29-21 in the final game of the Asia Rugby Men’s Championship 2025 at the Race Course Ground Colombo on Friday (4) evening.

The third consecutive loss condemned Sri Lanka to the bottom of the table in the championship and they are now on the brink of elimination from the top tier.

Although the Lankans showed promise early on, it was Jack Stapley who opened the scoring for the UAE, which was converted.

The visitors went on to score two more tries in the first half while the Lankans managed a solitary try through Mohamed Rifan. Skipper Tarinda Ratwatte converted the try and put over two penalties. The visitors led 22-16 at half-time.

Sri Lanka scored through Shamika Kaushan at the start of the second half, much to the jubilation of the home supporters.

However, they could not breach the lead of the UAE side, which was filled with expats.

At the dying stages of the game, Stapley scored his second try and sealed the game for the UAE side which finished second in the points table behind Hong Kong.

Sri Lanka will now have to win a play-off game against Malaysia late this year in order to remain in the championship next year.

The United Arab Emirates, thanks to their victory over Sri Lanka, significantly boosted their chances on the 2027 Rugby World Cup qualification pathway.

UAE Coach Jacques Benade expressed satisfaction with the hard-fought win, which solidifies their status as the second-strongest team in Asia behind tournament favourites Hong Kong. 

With this result, the UAE now sit firmly in second place in the 2025 Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship standings, positioning them for an intercontinental playoff against Africa’s runners-up later this July.