The Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s and Women’s Sevens Series will return to the rugby crazy island by breaking the deadlock which lasted for almost six years. The second and final leg will feature in Sri Lanka’s prominent rugby field, the racecourse grounds, Colombo 07 in October 2025.
Asia Rugby has unveiled the rugby sevens schedule across all divisions recently. The Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s and Women’s Sevens Series (Top division) will consist of two legs as follows.
- Hangzhou, China (20–21 September), hosted at the venue of the 2023 Asian Games (Hangzhou Normal University)
- Colombo, Sri Lanka (18–19 October), marking a return to one of Asia’s historic rugby grounds, Racecourse Stadium, Colombo
Sri Lankan rugby 7s outfit which stood firmly among the top four nations of Asia and they have featured regularly in the top division of Asia Rugby 7s series. But unfortunately theTuskers were slated to the lower division with the international rugby ban due to administration issues. Much importantly there is an increase in the participating nations from 8 to 12 teams in both the men’s and women’s segments.
During the last year, tuskers played in the division 1 rugby 7s tournament, which was held in Nepal. There, Sri Lankan men were unlucky to place third after a magnificent performance and just went down to tournament winners Philippine by just a converted try. On the contrary, the women had a poor run and were placed fifth and clinched the bowl trophy. Significantly both outfits failed to qualify for the top division rugby 7s series. With this expansion of participating nations, Sri Lankan men will definitely earn a spot in the prestigious 7s series and while even the women’s outfit may earn a ticket as the hosts (To be confirmed). After an action packed and thrilling XV’s tournament, spotlight will be stolen by the restructured Asian Rugby 7s series, one which promises to deliver high-octane rugby under the banner of “Destination Asia”.
On the other hand, World Rugby has already restructured the elite HSBC SVNS series and therefore the stakes are higher than ever. The champions of both men’s and women’s segments will qualify for the new World Rugby HSBC SVNS Division 3, previously known as the Sevens Challenger Series. As Japan (both men’s and women’s) and China’s (women’s team) are already part of the elite segment, other top contenders now have a great chance to make a statement in a global rugby 7s tournament. The Mantra for the Tuskers would be competitive in China in the first leg and outclass the opponents in Colombo by using the home advantage.
Source : Asia Rugby Unveils Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Calendar 2025
