By seamlessly connecting social rugby and Sri Lankan sporting pride, the UUDS Tuskers, the official rugby team of UUDS AERO, clinched the cup championship of the International Men’s Social category at the Dubai Emirates Rugby 7’s 2025. In the cup final, the UUDS Tuskers side, captained by 2016 Isipathana College captain Kushan Indunil Pieris, posted a stunning 28-05 victory over the USA-based invitational rugby club, cementing their place as one of the elite social rugby sevens outfits.
The following invitational clubs competed for the championship of the Gulf Men’s Social Category and were pooled as follows.
Pool A – OG 7s (Yorkshire, UK), CNCF 7s (UK), Speranza 22 (Argentina), Wyvern Harlequins (London, UK)
Pool B – Dubai College Old Boys, Looseheadz 7s (England), Black Mambas (Malaysia), Catherine Wheel Crusaders (UK)
Pool C – Monaco IMPIS Development Team, Mbale Select (Uganda), Old Barnardians (UK), DESC Old Boys (Dubai based club)
Pool D – SRG Se7ens (Singapore), Blitz Panthers (South Africa), Black Goats (USA), UUDS Tuskers (UAE based Sri Lankan club)
During the pool stage, Tuskers posted a comfortable victory (21 – 12) against the SRG Se7ens side, who are the organising body of the gala annual event of the Singapore Cricket Club International Rugby Sevens. Then the Tuskers delivered a thumping victory over Black Goats Rugby Club by scoring six tries while conceding just once (36 – 07). In the final pool game, Kushan and his men demolished the South African club side, Blitz Panthers, after scoring ten tries and seven conversions (as 64 0 05). This mammoth score marked the highest points that a team scored in this segment.
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In the Cup Quarterfinals, the Tuskers had a walk in the park as they beat Mbale Select rugby 7’s side with nine unanswered tries (55 – 00). In the semifinals, Tuskers clashed against the unbeaten “Speranza 22” club side. Though the opponents were determined to earn a spot in the finals, the spirited play of the Tuskers eventually ended the winning journey of the Southern hemisphere lads.
In the high-stake final, UUDS Tuskers played against Black Goats 7s, and Kushan and his men had a psychological advantage as they convincingly managed to beat the same opponents at the group stage. The Tuskers replicated the winning performance by never giving any room to the USA-based club by clinching the International Men’s Social category at the Dubai Emirates Rugby 7’s 2025. The winning side scored with four converted tries, while the losers could only plant an unconverted try.
The captain, Kushan, made a direct impact on the games through his pure power and pace, but his game management and leadership skills gave the cutting edge to UUDS Tuskers to triumph in pressure situations. The former Isipathana College captain/centre three-quarter had immense success by winning double crowns (both the League and the Knockout Championships) under his leadership. Further, he acted as the vice captain of the Sri Lanka Youth outfit at the Junior Rugby ASIAD to be held in Malaysia before enjoying his premier club rugby career (at CR & FC – 2017/18 and CH & FC – 2018/19).
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Apart from Kushan, the other Isipathan players – veteran CR & FC player Kavindu de Costa and Rinesh Silva – provide extra pace and tactical insight to the champion side. Further, the CH & FC, Havelock and police player Hirantha Perera dominated in the lineouts against some fancied sides, giving some pride to the nation. Apart from locals, the rest of the players who came from Fijian rugby fields add some Polynesian flavour to the side. The highly professional play of those gigantic players paved the way for UUDS Tuskers to win the cup championship without any hiccups in the middle.
UUDS Tuskers Rugby 7’s outfit, which is affiliated to UUDS Aero Sports Club, is the sports wing of world-renowned UUDS AERO DWC LLC, the luxury cabin maintenance provider for private and commercial aircraft based in Dubai, UAE, and more than 1500 Sri Lankans are employed there.
Pool Stage
SRG Se7ens 12 – 21 UUDS Tuskers
UUDS Tuskers 36 – 07 Black Goats
UUDS Tuskers 64 – 05 Blitz Panthers
Cup Quarterfinals
UUDS Tuskers 55 – 00 Mbale Select
Speranza 22 17 – 14 Black Mambas
Monaco Impis Development Team 14 – 17 Black Goats
Wyvern Harlequins 00 – 22 Dubai College Old Boys
Cup semifinals
UUDS Tuskers 43 – 14 Speranza 22
Black Goats 22 – 10 Dubai College Old Boys
Cup Final
UUDS Tuskers 28 – 05 Black Goats
The Victorious UUDS Tuskers side:
Kushan Indunil Silva (captain), Keponi Paul, Maciu Raiyala, Sireli Tisolo, Serupepeli Waqaleuv, Josese Rokoua, Malto Vuata, Kavindu de Costa, Rinesh Silva, Hirantha Perera, Akulo Momo, Nilfer Ibrahim (Head Coach), Hilmy Mohommed Meerasaibu (Team Manager), Amar Muhammad (Medic)
