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NEXT XV: Investing in Lanka’s next Generation of Rugby

The inaugural Next XV National Selection Tournament has reached its third match day, providing 140 Under-19 players with an opportunity to experience rugby in a structured franchise environment while competing alongside some of Sri Lanka’s leading young talent.

The tournament aims to offer more than a series of matches by giving young players greater exposure to competitive rugby and introducing them to the standards, routines and expectations of a professionally organised sporting environment.

Sri Lanka Rugby owns and controls Next XV and oversees the tournament’s rugby and player-development framework, including the management of players and coaches across the four franchise teams.

Discipline, standards and player conduct remain key priorities, as the players are being developed to represent Sri Lanka at age-group level and, ultimately, at senior national level.

A key principle of the tournament is to ensure that all 140 players in the national pool receive a genuine opportunity to perform. Sri Lanka Rugby has therefore required every player to receive a minimum of 20 minutes of match time during the tournament. This gives each player an opportunity to demonstrate his ability in competitive conditions and make a case for selection to the final 40-player squad that will prepare for the Under-19 Asia Rugby Championship.

The tournament has also placed significant emphasis on coaching and performance support. Experienced and qualified rugby professionals, including World Rugby-qualified coaches, have been appointed across the four franchises, supported by qualified strength and conditioning trainers, physiotherapists and other performance personnel.

The extended training and match environment allows Sri Lanka Rugby coaches and selectors to assess and develop players across areas including technical execution, physical preparation, teamwork, discipline, adaptability and performance under competitive conditions.

Each of the four franchises represents a significant commitment of time, resources and investment, with franchise owners backing the competition based on their belief in the potential of young Sri Lankan players and the long-term development of rugby in the country.

The ambition extends beyond the inaugural tournament, with the objective of establishing a sustainable sporting property that can create continued opportunities for young players, coaches and other stakeholders while contributing to the broader development of Sri Lankan rugby.

For the 140 players involved, Next XV provides an opportunity to train under experienced rugby professionals, compete regularly, work with coaches and teammates from different backgrounds, experience a franchise environment and understand the standards expected as they progress to higher levels of the sport.

For Sri Lanka Rugby, the tournament also serves as a development and selection platform. Bringing a large group of leading Under-19 players into a structured environment enables their progress to be observed over an extended period and provides selectors with a broader basis on which to identify the final 40-player squad.

As the competition progresses, the focus remains on the players, the quality of rugby and the long-term objective of creating greater opportunities for the next generation of Sri Lankan rugby players.