A Guide To The Unique Sri Lankan School Rugby Titles 2026

We love a good rugby trophy and rugby rivalry, and Sri Lankan School rugby has plenty.

This weekend sees several trophies and Shields contested in Kandy and Colombo, but the most talked-about annual title seems to be The Bradby Shield, which is a two-leg contest played between Royal College and Trinity College, and the matchup in 2026 will be the 80th time they have contested the title. 

With the NZ U85kg team touring Sri Lanka the past two years, and The Prem side and current champions, Northampton RFC, set to play the Asia Pacific Lions in Colombo on 28 August 2026 at the Racecourse International Stadium – there is plenty for fans to enjoy in this rugby-loving country.

The Bradby Shield 2026 – Royal College vs Trinity College

The Bradby Shield (featured in the main photo) is, without a doubt, the most famous, prestigious annual rugby union title in Sri Lanka, played between the traditional rivals Royal College (Colombo) and Trinity College (Kandy). The competition is a two-legged series with one match hosted in each city.

The rivalry between the two schools can be traced to 1920, but the competition for the Bradby Shield started in 1945 when E. L. Bradby, the principal of Royal College, introduced the idea

The winner is determined on an aggregate score across the two legs, and the victorious team’s captain is awarded the Bradby Shield, which was donated by E. L. Bradby before he left Ceylon (the former name of Sri Lanka). The Shield was designed and produced by Kandyan silversmiths, and consists of a wooden disk with intricate traditional Kandyan silverwork, which symbolise victory and cultural heritage

Royal are the current holders after they defeated Trinity 18-13 in 2025. This season, however, Trinity completed the domestic double in Sri Lanka, most recently adding the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2026 title to the trophy cabinet. Trinity also narrowly lead the head-to-head with 40 wins to Royal’s 37, and two draws so far.

In 2026, the two schools will be competing for the 80th edition, and the first leg will be played on July 11th at Royal Sports Complex, with the second leg due to be played on 25th July.

In the past, the matches were played at Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo until matches were transferred to the Royal College Sports Complex Rugby Ground in the early 2000s. The Kandy venue used to be the Bogambara Stadium, but it was moved to Trinity’s home ground: Pallekele Stadium.

The ticket ballot (yes, it has to be balloted due to the demand) process has been posted, and crowds of 20,000 spectators are common. The ballot, which requires online registration, will take place on 5th July with ticket prices ranging from 1.000 to 5,800 Sri Lankan Rupees.

William Gopallawa Shield 2026 – Ananda College vs Vidyartha College

The William Gopallawa Shield will be contested at Nittawela Rugby Stadium on July 4th 2026 and will be the 55th edition of the match between Ananda College (Colombo) and Vidyartha College (Kandy).

Inaugurated in 1968, the annual rugby fixture was named in honour of Sri Lanka’s first Executive President, William Gopallawa.

In 2025, Ananda won the William Gopallawa Shield for the first time in 11 years at the Ananda College Grounds, Rajagiriya, with a narrow 22-21 victory.

In total, Ananda College has won the William Gopallawa Shield 22 times, while Vidyartha College have the upper hand and has won it 32 times.

L.E. Blaze Trophy 2026 – Wesley College vs Kingswood College

Image Credit – Wesley College

Contested by Wesley College (Colombo) and Kingswood College (Kandy), the L.E. Blaze Trophy (contested for the 40th time this year) will take place on 18th July 2026 at Nittawela Rugby Stadium in Kandy.

The trophy was donated by old Kingswoodian Royal de Silva in honour of Louis Edmund Blaze, who was the founder of Kingswood College. He is also credited with introducing rugby to schools in Sri Lanka in 1891.

Last year, the 2025 Dialog League runners-up Wesley College retained the L.E. Blaze Trophy when they beat Kingswood College at Longdon Place 46-10.

In total, Kingswood College still has more titles than Wesley College.

Lady Jayathilake Shield 2026 – S Thomas College vs St Joseph’s College

The silverware is contested by S Thomas College and St Joseph’s College, and the latter retained the title after winning the 67th encounter in June 2026, 29-15 at CR & FC Grounds in Colombo.

This means St. Joseph’s College have won the past two years, after winning the 2025 Lady Jayathilake Shield 29-15.

The Thomians have won the title 46 times compared to the 18 by the Josephians. There have been three draws.

Rizvi Suhayb Trophy 2026 – Isipathana College vs S. Thomas’ College

The Rizvi Suhayb Trophy 2026 will be played on Saturday, 4th July 2026 at Havelock Park between Isipathana College and S. Thomas’ College.

This will only be the second time the silverware has been played for, with the trophy honouring one of Sri Lanka’s leading schoolboy rugby captains who led S. Thomas’ College to an unbeaten league and knockout double in 1989 before captaining the Sri Lanka Under-20 team on its tour of Bangkok in January 1990.

In 2025, Isipathana lost to the Thomians 24-36 in the inaugural encounter. The trophy was donated by Thomian old boys.

Alles Trophy 2026 – D. S. Senanayake College vs St. Anthony’s College

D. S. Senanayake College (Colombo) and St. Anthony’s College (Kandy) compete for the Alles Trophy, and this is only the second edition of this new silverware. D.S. Senanayake College won the inaugural challenge 26-19.

The Alles Cup was introduced in 2025 to honour the legacy of D.S. Senanayake College Founding Principal,  the late R.I.T. Alles. The 2026 encounter will take place on 5th July at Havelock Park.

Asian Rugby News 2026

• Northampton Saints Set Sights On Sri Lanka Tour In August 2026 To Face Asia Pacific Lions.
• Asian International Rugby Tournaments 2026.
• WXV Global Series Challenger 2026 To Be Hosted in Hong Kong.
• Cathay Youth Invitational 7s 2027 Registrations Open.