Sri Lanka is set to take centre stage in the global rugby arena this summer. In a landmark moment for the sport in Asia, Asia Pacific Lions Rugby (APL) has officially signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with English rugby powerhouse Northampton Saints.
Executed at the iconic Cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens, this ground-breaking partnership locks in a monumental international clash scheduled for 28 August, 2026, at the Racecourse International Stadium in Colombo.
This unprecedented fixture marks one of the most significant rugby partnerships ever established in the region, bringing elite European club rugby to South Asia on an unparalleled scale.
For Sri Lanka, it represents a massive leap forward, not only accelerating the growth and globalisation of the sport across the continent but firmly positioning it as a premier emerging destination for world-class rugby.
The arrival of the Northampton Saints brings true rugby royalty to Sri Lankan shores. Competing at the absolute pinnacle of both English (Gallagher PREM) and European (Investec Champions Cup) rugby, the Saints are a dominant force, having captured the PREM title in 2024 and charging all the way to the Champions Cup Final in 2025.
Beyond their silverware, the Club is globally renowned for its prolific Academy system, which fuels over 60 per cent of the current first-team squad. Sri Lankan fans will get a first-hand look at a culture of excellence that has shaped premier England internationals, including the likes of Tommy Freeman, Henry Pollock, Alex Mitchell, Fraser Dingwall, George Furbank, Alex Coles, and Ollie Sleightholme.
The fixture will see the Asia Pacific Lions, an elite invitational team representing the best of Asia and the Pacific, take on English club side Northampton Saints, Gallagher PREM champions in 2024 and Investec Champions Cup finalists in 2025, in what is expected to be a landmark occasion for the sport in Sri Lanka and beyond.
The Daily Morning spoke to some of the key personalities behind this upcoming sporting venture.
The Visionaries: Building a bridge across continents
Saabir, signing an agreement of this magnitude at Franklin’s Gardens is a significant milestone for the Asia Pacific Lions. Can you walk us through the strategic intent behind choosing a club with the pedigree of Northampton Saints for this venture?
Saabir Cader (Founder and Director, APL): This is truly a historic day for rugby across our entire region, and I must emphasise that the choice of venue for this signing was highly deliberate. Franklin's Gardens is not just a stadium; it represents the absolute pinnacle of rugby heritage, tradition, and operational excellence. When we set out to establish the identity of the Asia Pacific Lions, we knew we had to align ourselves with the standard-bearers of the modern game. By partnering with a club like Northampton Saints—which pairs meticulous professionalism with recent silverware—we are setting an incredibly high benchmark for what APL stands for.
Our core vision has always been centred on elevating the competitive standard of the game throughout Asia and the Pacific. To achieve that, you cannot take shortcuts; you have to test yourself against the best in the business. I’ve personally witnessed the famous 'Shoe Army' in full voice back in England, creating an atmosphere that is second to none. Today, I extend my warmest, most heartfelt invitation to those very fans: come down and experience our beautiful island this August.
You will find a rugby culture in Sri Lanka that is just as vibrant, passionate, and welcoming as any you will encounter anywhere else in the world.
David, your history with the game is legendary, particularly in the 7s circuit. Having spent time in Sri Lanka recently, what did you see in the local talent that convinced you this match was a necessity rather than just an opportunity?
David Campese (Director of Rugby, APL): The passion for rugby in Sri Lanka is completely raw, infectious, and deeply rooted. When I was travelling through the country two years ago, I was honestly floored by the sheer natural talent on display. I met young players on those pitches who possessed the same grit, flair, and explosive step that reminded me of the fiercest competitors I locked horns with during my days at the Hong Kong 7s and the Commonwealth Games. These athletes undeniably have the fundamental skill and the heart for the big stage; what they have historically lacked is the right platform and exposure.
Lining up against a powerhouse like the Northampton Saints—the 2024 Premiership champions—provides our regional players with a genuine global stage to prove that the talent pool within Asia and the Pacific is genuinely world-class. The fans in Colombo have been starving for an international event of this scale for a very long time. They don’t just want to watch elite, world-class rugby through a television screen anymore; they have earned the right to witness it live, breathing the action right in their own capital city.
Julia, as the CEO of a club that has recently reached the heights of English and European finals, why is now the right time to venture into the South Asian market?
Julia Chapman (CEO, Northampton Saints): At Northampton Saints, we have always prided ourselves on being a club that thinks differently, challenges boundaries, and looks beyond conventional horizons. Sri Lanka is a nation that clearly and unapologetically loves its rugby—we saw undeniable proof of that passion with the incredible, packed crowds and deep community engagement during New Zealand’s recent tour.
From a strategic brand perspective, this is a thrilling new adventure for us. We are actively taking the Saints name into a completely fresh, untapped market, building international relationships that we believe will pave the way for long-term commercial and corporate growth.
But if you look beyond the financial spreadsheets, this tour is fundamentally about our duty to contribute to the growth of the wider global game. If we can play a pivotal role in developing the sport in an emerging market while simultaneously offering our loyal supporters a unique, unforgettable touring experience, then we are truly fulfilling our role as a leading global club.
Phil, from a coaching perspective, a pre-season tour to the tropics is a significant departure from the usual training camps. How do you expect this environment to test the squad, both mentally and physically?
Phil Dowson (Director of Rugby, Northampton Saints): It is a performance challenge that our entire coaching staff and playing squad are absolutely relishing. We haven’t travelled together as an international group for a pre-season camp in quite some time, and having the opportunity to do that now is absolutely vital for building squad cohesion and integrating new dynamics. Immersing ourselves in a culture as distinct, rich, and vibrant as Sri Lanka’s creates powerful, shared life experiences that bring a group closer together.
On the pitch, the focus will be heavily centred on rapid adaptation. How do the players cope with the intense, tropical humidity levels? How do they handle the pressure of representing the Club in a completely unfamiliar environment?
Facing a highly motivated Asia Pacific Lions side will provide a stern, uncompromising competitive test that will stretch our systems.
Ultimately, the unbreakable bonds built off the field during a demanding tour like this are very often the exact catalyst that carries a team through the toughest, coldest moments of a gruelling Premiership season.
The Local Impact and the Corporate Engine
Pavithra, Sri Lanka Rugby has been very active lately with the New Zealand U85kg tours. How does the arrival of a Gallagher Premiership champion change the trajectory for the sport domestically?
Pavithra Fernando (President, Sri Lanka Rugby): This is nothing short of a transformative milestone for our rugby ecosystem. The recent New Zealand tours were invaluable development steps, allowing our local officials, referees, and players to learn the intricate technicalities of hosting and competing at a high international standard. However, welcoming an organisation of Northampton Saints' calibre alongside the Asia Pacific Lions represents a massive leap directly into the elite tier of world rugby.
An event of this magnitude completely elevates the profile of Sri Lankan rugby on the global stage. It sends a clear, powerful message to the world governing bodies and international franchises that Sri Lanka possesses both the world-class infrastructure and the undeniable commercial appetite to successfully host the very best teams in the world.
Jazal, DASA GROUP UK is the powerhouse behind this tour. As a business focused on payroll and industry solutions, how do you see the synergy between your corporate values and a rugby tour of this scale?
Jazal Marzook (Chairman, DASA GROUP UK): At its absolute core, the sport of rugby is fundamentally built on community, togetherness, absolute trust, and executing a collective strategy to achieve a common goal.
Those exact pillars form the foundation of everything we do daily at DASA GROUP. While we operate out of our headquarters in Edgware, London, our corporate vision has always been wide-reaching and global.
Backing this ground-breaking international tour allows us to use our platform to bring vastly different cultures, businesses, and sports teams together for a shared, elevated purpose.
We don't view this merely as sponsoring a single rugby match; we see it as a long-term investment in a landmark event that creates a powerful, lasting legacy for the passionate fans on the ground in Sri Lanka and the wider sporting community back home in the UK.