Get ready, Sri Lanka Rugby fans! The Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025 is gearing up to deliver yet another season packed with adrenaline-pumping action, fierce rivalries, and a showcase of raw, youthful talent.
From the passionate school supporters to the future stars of Sri Lankan rugby, all eyes are set on what promises to be another thrilling chapter in this historic league.
- Last-Gasp Heroics Hand Isipathana Back-to-Back President’s Trophy Titles
- Unbeaten St. Peter’s Claims Back-to-Back League Titles
- Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025 to begin on 6th June
A League of Legends in the Making
Since its inception, Dialog Schools Rugby League has been the breeding ground for the nation’s Rugby icons. With powerhouses like Royal College, St. Peter’s College, Trinity College, Isipathana College, St. Joseph’s, S. Thomas College, and more entering the fray, the 2025 edition is expected to elevate schoolboy rugby to new heights, promising intense clashes, fierce rivalries, jam packed crowds and most importantly, some mouthwatering Rugby.
Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025 will feature a total of 80 Schools all around Sri Lanka participating across 3 divisions. The 1st Division league format will see a total of 45 Schools participating across 3 segments, with 12 schools participating in Division 1 segment C, 15 schools participating in Division 1 segment B, and 18 schools battling it out to be crowned as kings of Division 1 segment A, which is the premier level of competition in Schools Rugby.
Segment A will feature a Cup Championship, Plate Championship, and a Bowl Championship. The 18 Schools will be divided into 3 groups based on seeding. The bottom 2 teams of each group will face each other for the Bowl Championship, Teams finishing 3rd and 4th will battle it out for the Plate Championship, while the top 2 teams from each group compete for the all-important Cup Championship.
Newcomers, Dark Horses, & Championship Contenders
The 18 teams in segment A will feature the same 16 segment A teams as last year’s tournament, along with the addition of two newly promoted schools Ananda College and Mahanama College.
After last year’s stellar performance in segment B, these 2 schools will be eager to experience the hype & ferocity of segment ‘A’.
Apart from the newbies, Thurstan College and Sri Sumangala College will have another crack at segment ‘A’ rugby. These schools will be looking to test their level with the best of teams and will try to build a solid rugby foundation for their respective schools for the years to come. Surviving in the top division will be their prime target. Who knows, they may even spoil the party for some of the contenders!
In the recent past, schools such as St. Anthony’ College, Science College, Kingswood College, Vidyartha College, Zahira College and Dharmaraja College have consistently been in the topmost segment of Sri Lankan Schools Rugby.
Even though these sides have struggled to take the next step into being top contenders, They have improved every season and played an exciting brand of rugby which promises to be a spectacle to watch every time they take the field.
This year, expect no less from these sides as they will be looking forward to causing chaos among the standings. On their day, these schools can beat anyone, and it will be very interesting to see how these sides fare in this year’s Schools Rugby saga.
Who will take that all important next step? Who will dwell in the mid-table? We will just have to wait and see!
The 2025 Schools Rugby League will also feature the established rugby playing institutions, S Thomas’ College, St. Joseph’s College, D.S. Senanayake College and Wesley College.
Their consistent performances throughout recent years have seen them constantly knocking on the door of becoming championship favourites. Having strong squads with a great blend of established veterans and exciting freshers, these sides can be considered as the Dark Horse contenders in this year’s Rugby chapter. Expect these teams to be fighting for a place in the hunt for the Cup Championship, or at the very least, to be crowned as Plate Champions!
Last but not least, we have the Cup Championship favourites. The creme de la creme of Schools Rugby 2025 (At least on paper) consists of the defending League Champions St. Peter’s College, the 2025 President’s Trophy Knockout Winners Isipathana College, the Current Bradby Shield holders Trinity College, and finally Royal College who managed to finish inside the Top 3 standings for 3 years straight.
Although there are many other Schools that are vying for the Cup title, it is hard to go against picking these prestigious institutions as the favourites due to their sustained, elite level of consistency throughout the years.
With most of these schools being battle tested against each other already in the 2025 knockout competition, the pressure of being the top dog amongst top dogs will be placed upon them. Nonetheless, we expect these teams to rise to the occasion once again as they have done countless times before and give us fans some epic moments that will forever be remembered in Schools Rugby history.
Each team brings its own legacy, playing style, and unique identity to the pitch. Whether it’s the structured power play of St. Peters, the fast-flowing flair of Trinity, the methodical pack play of Royal, or the gritty determination of Isipathana, fans are in for a smorgasbord of tactical battles and unforgettable moments.
Dialog Axiata continues to set the standard in sports broadcasting, promising top-tier live coverage, expert commentary, and real-time highlights on Dialog Television, Dialog ViU Mobile App and ThePapare.com, and Social Media platforms. Whether you’re at the stadium or following from home, or overseas – every try, tackle, and turnover will be right at your fingertips.
The 1st Round kicks off this week, with over 70 matches scheduled across two competitive rounds. So, mark your calendars, rally around your alma mater, and do your colours— it’s time to witness the heart, grit, and glory of the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025.
Who will Rise? Who will Reign? Get your popcorn ready as the Battle for Glory begins soon!
