Scrum and Engage with Christopher Jordashe on SriLankaSports.com
Scripted by Brian Thomas
Edited by Christopher Jordashe
Third Eye: Tony Amit
Royal 52% – Isipathana 48%
Isipathana bid goodbye to the 2025 season with mixed feelings. They won the President’s Knock-out Tournament by beating the current league champions by 2 points in a nail-biting finish but were thumped by them in the league. Their story ends with several injuries, health issues, a red card, and—one suspects—an unknown host of issues swept under the carpet.
Royal live to fight another day, remaining in contention for the league runner-up trophy and the blue riband of schools rugby: the Bradby.
At the back of their minds, even though they are playing Isipathana this week, one eye is on the traditional Bradby coming up on 23rd August. Trinity also has a similar mindset, signing off this week from the league as champions. But under the bridges of Paris for Royal and Trinity, it is the Bradby that matters.
There is no doubt Royal are strong favourites against Isipathana, as they combine better as a unit in both defence and attack, as seen in their last game against STC. Isipathana seem divided, not clicking together as a unit and far too dependent on individual brilliance this season. This is our main diagnosis of Isipathana’s failure in 2025.
Royal, at Jurassic Park, have more pressure—not only to win but also the added burden of securing a bonus point. The Reid Avenue boys have improved in all facets of the game, and their defence is more solid than Isipathana’s. The back three are the main threats to Isipathana, as the Havelock Park boys have been vulnerable in line defence. The Trinitians, Thomians, and even the Peterites have exploited this weak link.
Royal forwards will be challenged with Shahid Zumri returning to the side, but Royal too have impact players and ball carriers to match the Isipathana forwards.
The Green Machine this year made unforced errors and lost territory due to infringements. In hindsight, a pertinent question arises: are the boys aware of some of the new rules introduced by the IRB? If so, these must be drilled into them to avoid further mistakes.
If Isipathana can avoid losing territory, retain majority possession, and starve the Royal back three, the game could turn on its head. Isipathana can play fearless rugby with nothing to lose, whilst Royal will have to look over their shoulders, with a bonus point win being a prerequisite to remain in runner-up position, as the Thomians and Wesley are breathing down their necks as well.
Will that Royal driving maul work?
Will Isipathana, knowing their brand of rugby, starve the Royal back three of counter-attacks?
The answers are full of too many “ifs”.
Tony’s Corner
In my books, Royal are favourites—not because of home advantage but mainly due to their improvement in playing the full 70 minutes with intent, like Isipathana. However, Isipathana have been disappointing to an extent this season, losing territory through infringements and not playing cohesive rugby, instead surviving on individual brilliance. Royal seem more settled now.
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