Asia Pacific Lions (APL) Launched During British & Irish Lions Tour

The Asia Pacific Lions (APL) was officially launched in Sydney, Australia, during the recent British & Irish Lions tour with an ambitious goal of bringing world-class rugby players from Asia and the Pacific to play matches against top-tier opposition in Asia.

Backdrop to Asia Pacific Lions

In December 2o24, the Asia Pacific Lions had also signed an MoU with Asia Rugby with the intent of the barbarians style team to play a Premiership Rugby Club from England, which has yet to materialise.

The APL are backed by DASA Group and is the brainchild of Saabir Cader (Founding Director of APL and Director of SC Global Consultancy).

The latest launch plans to bring stars of rugby to play in Sri Lanka in 2026. This follows the tour of the NZ U85 team to Sri Lanka in 2025, which, albeit a marketing and media success, has since been blighted by the financial costs of the incursion and led to the Sri Lanka Men’s XV Head Coach at the time to resign, while local players and management were unpaid in the series.

Saabir Cader said, “This launch is a dream come true…Our vision is to create a ‘Barmy Army’-style rugby movement that boosts tourism and global visibility for Sri Lanka. The British & Irish Lions Tour of Australia injected AU$420 million into the Australian economy. If Sri Lanka can benefit from even a mere 1% of that through our pilot project, we’ll be on the right path.”

In December 2024, the Asia Pacific Lions had also signed an MoU with Asia Rugby

What Are the Plans for APL in 2026

A press release on August 1 2025, reported that at the launch in Sydney, controversial pundit but legendary former Wallabies and 1991 Rugby World Cup Winner and World Rugby Hall of Famer David Campese was unveiled as the APL Director of Rugby.

David Campese said, “This is a brilliant initiative. I visited Sri Lanka last year and learned that rugby is the second-most popular sport after cricket. Credit to Saabir and DASA Group for developing something so unique that not only enhances the game but also delivers real entertainment value.”

Former Japan international Jamie Henry was also announced as the team’s inaugural captain. The 35-year-old has been playing in the JRLO and, from 2022 to 2025, played with the Kamaishi Seawaves. He said at the launch, “It’s an absolute pleasure to lead this groundbreaking concept. I’m confident that this initiative will transform the rugby landscape across Asia and beyond.”

The team is expected to play a UK Premiership Rugby club in Sri Lanka in 2026. Late in 2024, it was also announced that they hoped the Asia Pacific Lions would play a Super Rugby team in the future.

In addition, the Asia Pacific Lions are said to be working on securing the services of a former Wallaby and an All Black World Cup winner to strengthen the squad. The rest of the APL squad will comprise a mix of top-tier Asia Rugby-affiliated countries and Pacific Islanders.

Jazal Marzook, Chairman of DASA Group, added, “I am proud to support the creation of the Asia Pacific Lions, an initiative that promises to redefine the landscape of rugby in Sri Lanka and beyond. By working with other teams across Asia, we are creating an exciting collaboration for rugby. I am confident that this alliance will not only strengthen Sri Lanka’s rugby but put us on the global rugby map.

Together, we are laying the foundation for a brighter future for rugby, where talent and teamwork drive the sport forward for generations to come.”

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