The Sri Lankan rugby fraternity was treated to a spectacular display of top-notch rugby yesterday (28th) as the Asia Pacific Lions hosted the Northampton Saints at the Racecourse International Stadium, Colombo. In what was a groundbreaking international fixture on the Northampton Saints Tour of Sri Lanka 2026, the men in Black, Green, and Gold ultimately outclassed the Lions, securing a commanding 59-42 victory.
From the opening whistle, the visiting Northampton Saints signaled their intent, racing out of the blocks to establish an early dominance, Saints turned over a lineout ball inside their own half and counter-attacked in no time. After a couple of phases, center three-quarter, Toby Thame made a brilliant break in defence line and ran through to draw the first blood of the game after a 80 meter sprint. Fly-half Anthony Belleau easily nailed the conversion. (NS 07 – 00 APL)
After the re-start, fly half Anthony (Saints) produced a timely punt kick and since then it was a 60 meters track event. Speedster Ollie Sleightholme won the race and picked up the ball just a meter away from the whitewash just before he dived for the second Saints try. Anthony was pin point with the conversion. (NS 14 – 00 APL)
>>Photos – Asia Pacific Lions vs Northampton Saints – Northampton Saints Tour of Sri Lanka 2026<<
However, the Asia Pacific Lions were not to be overwhelmed. Showing immense resilience, the Lions gradually found their rhythm, unsettling the English side. After a five meter scrum, Lions attacked with a No. 08 break. Then the ball went wide across three-quarters and skipper Jamie Henry stood tall when the team needed him and crossed the whitewash for a magnificent try. Fly-half Teti Tela delivered a splendid conversion to cut the deficit. (NS 14 – 07 APL)
But Saints never panicked and immediately counter-attacked where in typical Saints style. After crossing into opposition’s 22 meter mark, forwards took the business and after a couple of phases flanker Jack Lewis crossed for the third try. (NS 19 – 07 APL)
Sooner, there was another twist, as Asia Pacific Lions replied with an equally better counter attack. After a scrum the ball was sent to the left corner and former Fijian skipper Francis Morrison planted a try at the foot of the left corner flag. From the most difficult angle, Australian legend Will Genia made “the conversion of the game” to uplift his team. (NS 19 – 14 APL)
While the game momentum was with the Lions, Saints managed to pull off a twist with their brilliant passing skills. It produced a quick ball across the line without allowing time for the defence to settle. Hence, Aiden Ainsworth Cave managed to exploit a gap and score the fourth try after a brief sprint. Anthony was again brilliant with the conversion. (NS 26 – 14 APL)
But the Lions never retreated. An immediate counter attack came from heavy Fijians and with a blend of power pace and incredible running angle with a scissor movement, the center three-quarter Waisea Nayacalevu easily barged over the whitewash by intensifying the heat of the game. Riley Harrison produced a successful conversion to cut the deficit. (NS 26 – 21 APL)
As the first half drew to a close, the momentum appeared to be shifting, but Northampton Saints managed to hold their nerve, going into the half-time break with a narrow 26-21 lead.
Half time: Northampton Saints 26 (4T, 3C) – 21 (3T, 3C) Asia Pacific Lions
If the first half was a tightly contested affair, the second half belonged entirely to the Saints. Northampton came out of the dressing room with a renewed intensity, displaying a remarkable performance that simply did not allow the Asia Pacific Lions to settle into any kind of defensive or offensive rhythm. After a scrum, the nippy scrum half saw the opportunity as the defence scattered at the middle. Suddenly he made a long pass from the middle to the corner as the open side winger was unmarked by the defence. There, Thomas Rowe didn’t want any invitation to cross the whitewash. After a change in the conversion duties, Huge Shields started with a fine conversion. (NS 33 – 21 APL)
Then Saints never gave breathing space for Asia Pacific Lions and launched a ruthless attack. After receiving a scrum at the red zone of Lions, the nippy scrum half Jonny Weimann foxed the entire defence line with a show and go technique to create a gap from the middle. After exploiting it he easily crossed the try line by taking away the game from Lions. Shields again good with the easy conversion chance. (NS 40 – 21 APL)
>>REPLAY – Asia Pacific Lions vs Northampton Saints – Northampton Saints Tour of Sri Lanka 2026<<
By the time, the Saints were unstoppable and the Lions who were under pressure for a long time made repeated mistakes by offering numerous scoring chances. After earning a five meter line-out Saints attacked with a maul which collapsed. Under penalty advantage, gigantic forward Van Der Mescht broke from behind and attacked on to the defence. With the help of the latcher he barged over the whitewash for another try from the right corner. Shields again made no mistake with the conversion. (NS 47 – 21 APL)
After a long wait Lions had their first real chance during the second half after reaching into the red zone of Saints. Then heavy weighted Pacific power came to the play and after a few phases Apisai Naqaliva displayed his pure power and crossed the whitewash by dragging a couple of defenders. As usual, Riley Harrison nailed the conversion. (NS 47 – 28 APL)
Saints were never intimidated and replied with another ferocious attack. After a five meter scrum Saints fly-half pretended that he was going to attack with himself to bunch the defenders. Then he unselfishly made a grubber towards winger Thoma Rowe who grabbed the ball and crossed the whitewash for his second just before Shields nailed another conversion. (NS 54 – 28 APL)
After Saints created a healthy lead, Lions fought for an anticlimax. After breaking the defence at the center they brought the play towards the five meter mark in no time. Suddenly the ball switched to the huge center Apisai Naqaliva who ran through the defense like a hot knife through the butter to score underneath the posts. Riley Harrison nailed another easy conversion to cut the deficit. (NS 54 – 35 APL)
During the dying stages of the game, Saints received a scrum inside the 22 meter mark of the Lions territory. Their Saints did a splendid work to push back the heavy pack rich with Fijians. With the excellent game reading scrum half delivered a long pass to the fullback James Martin who did coverup duties for the open side winger. Unmarked Martin scored after a walk in the park from the right corner. (NS 59 – 35 APL)
At the brink of the fulltime whistle Saints out for another try but a loose pass gave an opportunity to the Lions. Riley Harrison who picked up the loose ball went through the defense to score a consolation try. No 11 nailed a fine conversion to cut the deficit. (NS 59 – 42 APL)
Relying on their iconic, free-flowing attacking rugby, the Saints ran riot in the second half. This relentless offensive pressure stretched the Asia Pacific Lions, ultimately allowing the Saints to pull away and cement a comprehensive 59-42 win.
While the final scoreline ultimately favored the Saints, the inaugural fixture between these two sides was a massive win for Sri Lankan rugby as a whole. The 101-point thriller provided local fans with a rare opportunity to witness elite-level, fast-paced rugby right in the heart of Colombo.
As the Northampton Saints Tour of Sri Lanka 2026 concludes, this memorable, high-scoring encounter at the Racecourse International Stadium will undoubtedly be remembered as a landmark day for the sport in the region.
Full time: Northampton Saints 59 (9T, 7C) – 42 (6T, 6C) Asia Pacific Lions
Points Breakdown
Northampton Saints – 59 points
Thomas Rowe 2T. Toby Thame 1T, Ollie Slieghtholme 1T, Jack Lewis 1T, Aiden Ainsworth Cave, Jonny Weimann 1T, JJ Van Der Mescht 1T, James Martin 1T, Huge Shields 3C, Anthony Belleau 4C
Asia Pacific Rugby Lions – 42 points
Jamie Henry 1T, Waisea Nayacalevu 1T, Apisai Naqaliva 2T, Apisalome Bogidrau 1T, Riley Harrison 1T, Teti Tela 1C, Will Genia 1C, Riley Harrison 4C
 as the Asia Pacific Lions hosted the Northampton Saints at the Racecourse International Stadium, Colombo.){kind=link}