Northampton Saints announced yesterday that they will travel to Sri Lanka in August 2026 to face the Asia Pacific Lions in a groundbreaking international fixture. The current PREM leaders Saints will face the Lions on Friday 28th August at the Racecourse International Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka, a venue that holds 10,000 people. Further details regarding kick-off time, ticketing, tour information, and community engagement programmes will be confirmed in due course.
The announcement came as part of a new international collaboration between Saints and SC Global Consultancy’s Asia Pacific Lions Rugby, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.
“So much passion for rugby”
Launched in 2025 by Sri Lankan rugby visionary Saabir Cader, the Asia Pacific Lions were created to elevate the standard of rugby across South Asia, by introducing elite-level competition and international exposure to the region.
Former Australian fullback legend David Campese is spearheading the project, whose 101 international caps over an illustrious 14-year Test career cemented his status as one of sports all-time greats. The Rugby World Cup winner serves as Director of Rugby for the Asia Pacific Lions. He will oversee a Barbarians-style squad featuring talent drawn from all over Asia and the Pacific Islands.
Campese said “It’s an opportunity that reflects the diversity, talent, and ambition of Asia and the Pacific. Facing Northampton Saints gives us the perfect platform to showcase that on a global stage. I was there is Sri Lanka two years ago and met players whom I played against in Hong Kong 7s and Commonwealth Games 7s, so much passion for rugby, so the players need more opportunities like this, and fans deserve bigger events to witness in their country.”
“Immersing ourselves in a new culture”
Northampton Saints Director of Rugby Phil Dowson said “We’re delighted to be taking on this challenge and heading somewhere so different. We haven’t travelled as a group during preseason for a while, so the chance to do that again is something the players and staff are really looking forward to.
“Immersing ourselves in a new culture and taking rugby to an emerging but passionate rugby nation like Sri Lanka creates powerful shared experiences for our group – while also contributing to the continued global development of the game.
“Touring internationally asks more of us as a squad; in how we prepare, how we train, how we cope with different conditions, and how we represent the Club. Those moments away from home are where real connections are built, and where all players and staff develop strong relationships on and off the field. Coming up against the Asia Pacific Lions in that environment will stretch us competitively and give the squad invaluable exposure that will benefit us long beyond this tour.”
Rugby in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka boasts a rich rugby heritage spanning over 140 years. Touring sides from England, New Zealand and the British and Irish Lions have historically made stopovers to play Sri Lanka (then Ceylon RFU) more than a century ago. This tour symbolizes a revival of that historic connection, bring professional international rugby back into the Sri Lankan spotlight.
At grassroots level, school rugby plays a vital role in sustaining the sport’s popularity. Strong alumni networks, sponsors, and community support continues to drive this ecosystem. Crowd engagement reflects this enthusiasm. Regular school matches attract between 4,000 and 5,000 spectators, while major traditional fixtures can draw crowds ranging from 10,000 to 15,000 fans, and the Sri Lankan top division is broadcast live on TV and via streaming platforms.
In recent years, Sri Lanka has become an increasingly attractive destination for touring international teams. New Zealand Rugby’s Under-85kg national side has just completed its second tour of the country, following a successful inaugural visit in 2025.
The return tour featured two highly competitive fixtures against the Sri Lankan national team, the Tuskers, played in Colombo and Kandy, with New Zealand U85kg recording victories of 27-16 and 25-10.
