The Sri Lankan rugby fraternity was treated to a spectacular display of top-class rugby yesterday (28th) as the Asia Pacific Lions hosted Northampton Saints at the Racecourse International Stadium in Colombo. In what was a groundbreaking international fixture during 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 signalled their intent, racing out of the blocks to establish early dominance. Saints turned over a lineout ball inside their own half and counter-attacked in no time. After a couple of phases, centre Toby Thame made a brilliant break through the defensive line and raced away to draw first blood after an 80-metre sprint. Fly-half Anthony Belleau easily nailed the conversion. (NS 07 – 00 APL)
After the restart, Saints fly-half Anthony Belleau produced a timely punt kick, and from there it became a 60-metre foot race. Speedster Ollie Sleightholme won the race and picked up the ball just a metre from the whitewash before diving over for the Saints’ second try. Anthony was pinpoint with the conversion. (NS 14 – 00 APL)
However, the Asia Pacific Lions were not to be overwhelmed. Showing immense resilience, the Lions gradually found their rhythm and began unsettling the English side. After a five-metre scrum, the Lions attacked with a No. 8 break. The ball was then moved wide across the three-quarters, and skipper Jamie Henry stood tall when his team needed him most, crossing the whitewash for a magnificent try. Fly-half Teti Tela delivered a splendid conversion to cut the deficit. (NS 14 – 07 APL)
>>Photos – Asia Pacific Lions vs Northampton Saints – Northampton Saints Tour of Sri Lanka 2026<<
But Saints never panicked and immediately counter-attacked in typical Saints style. After crossing into the opposition’s 22-metre area, the forwards took control, and after a couple of phases, flanker Jack Lewis crossed for the third try. (NS 19 – 07 APL)
Soon after, there was another twist as the Asia Pacific Lions responded with an equally impressive counter-attack. After a scrum, the ball was sent to the left corner, where former Fijian skipper Francis Morrison planted the ball over the line at the foot of the left corner flag. From the most difficult angle, Australian legend Will Genia produced the “conversion of the game” to lift his team. (NS 19 – 14 APL)
While the momentum was with the Lions, Saints managed to produce another twist with their brilliant passing skills. Their quick ball movement across the line gave the defence no time to settle. As a result, Aiden Ainsworth Cave exploited a gap and scored 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 the powerful Fijians, and with a blend of power, pace, incredible running angles, and a scissors move, centre Waisea Nayacalevu easily barged over the whitewash, 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 and went 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 Saints. Northampton came out of the dressing room with renewed intensity, producing a remarkable performance that simply did not allow the Asia Pacific Lions to settle into any kind of defensive or attacking rhythm.
After a scrum, the nippy scrum-half spotted an opportunity as the defence became scattered in the middle. He suddenly delivered a long pass towards the corner, where the open-side winger was left unmarked. Thomas Rowe needed no second invitation to cross the whitewash. After a change in the conversion duties, Huge Shields started with a fine conversion. (NS 33 – 21 APL)
Saints then refused to give the Asia Pacific Lions any breathing space and launched another ruthless attack. After receiving a scrum in the Lions’ red zone, nippy scrum-half Jonny Weimann foxed the entire defensive line with a show-and-go, creating a gap in the middle. After exploiting it, he easily crossed the try line, taking the game further away from the Lions. Shields again made no mistake with the conversion. (NS 40 – 21 APL)
>>REPLAY – Asia Pacific Lions vs Northampton Saints – Northampton Saints Tour of Sri Lanka 2026<<
By this stage, Saints were unstoppable, while the Lions, under pressure for a prolonged period, began making repeated mistakes and offering numerous scoring opportunities. After earning a five-metre lineout, Saints attacked with a maul, which collapsed. Under penalty advantage, the gigantic forward Van der Mescht broke from behind the maul and attacked the defence. With the help of his latchers, 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, the Lions had their first real chance of the second half after reaching the Saints’ red zone. The heavy Pacific power then came into play, and after a few phases, Apisai Naqaliva displayed his sheer power, crossing the whitewash while dragging a couple of defenders with him. As usual, Riley Harrison nailed the conversion. (NS 47 – 28 APL)
Saints were never intimidated and replied with another ferocious attack. After a five-metre scrum, the Saints fly-half pretended he was going to attack himself, drawing the defenders in. He then unselfishly delivered a grubber towards winger Thomas Rowe, who gathered the ball and crossed the whitewash for his second try before Shields nailed another conversion. (NS 54 – 28 APL)
After Saints had established a healthy lead, the Lions fought for an anticlimax. Breaking through the defence at the centre, they brought the play towards the five-metre mark in no time. Suddenly, the ball was switched to the powerful centre Apisai Naqaliva, who ran through the defence like a hot knife through 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 Lions’ 22-metre area. The Saints pack did a splendid job of pushing back the heavy Lions pack, which was rich in Fijian power. With excellent game reading, the scrum-half delivered a long pass to fullback James Martin, who had moved across to cover the open-side winger. Unmarked, Martin scored after a walk in the park from the right corner. (NS 59 – 35 APL)
On the brink of the full-time whistle, Saints pushed forward for another try, but a loose pass gave the Lions an opportunity. Riley Harrison, who picked up the loose ball, went through the defence 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, Saints ran riot in the second half. Their relentless offensive pressure stretched the Asia Pacific Lions, ultimately allowing Northampton to pull away and cement a comprehensive 59-42 victory.
While the final scoreline ultimately favoured 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}