The 2017 schools rugby fixtures have been released by the Schools Rugby Football Association.
The upcoming schools rugby season promises some mouth-watering ties.
Week one will be worked off between the dates of February 21 to 27 and will see defending champions Isipathana take on Dharmaraja. The standout tie of the first weekend will see Royal meet a rather rejuvenated St. Joseph’s as the school from Darley Road will be hoping to make an impression, while Wesley will meet stalwarts Trinity College.
The match to watch out for in week two will no doubt be Science College meeting Trinity College. Also during this week, Nilfer Ibraham, coaching St. Joseph’s, will meet his old team Isipathana where he was head coach for two seasons.
St. Peter’s will play their big match against arch rivals St. Joseph’s following a year’s break in week three, while Wesley will take on S. Thomas’ as the two schools play off for the Sir. Oliver Goonathilake Shield.
Breathing space between games is rare as all schools meet opposition of high calibre week in week out
St. Peter’s will meet 2016 champions Isipathana which will be a match to watch out for in penultimate week four and the first round will draw to a close as Isipathana meet Royal in week five along with S. Thomas’ taking on Science College.
Week by week fixture list:
First round schedule
Week 1 (February 21 to 27): Isipathana vs Dharmaraja; Royal vs St. Joseph’s; St. Peter’s vs St. Anthony’s; S. Thomas’ vs Prince of Wales; Science vs Zahira; Wesley vs Trinity
Week 2 (March 1 to March 6): St. Joseph’s vs Isipathana; Dharmaraja vs St. Anthony’s; Royal vs St. Peter’s; Zahira vs S. Thomas’; Prince of Wales vs Wesley; Science vs Trinity
Week 3 (March 7 to 13): Isipathana vs St. Anthony’s; St. Joseph’s vs St. Peter’s; Dharmaraja vs Royal; Wesley vs S. Thomas’; Zahira vs Trinity; Prince of Wales vs Science
Week 4 (March 14 to 20): St. Peter’s vs Isipathana; St. Anthony’s vs Royal; St. Joseph’s vs Dharmaraja; S. Thomas’ vs Trinity; Wesley vs Science; Zahira vs Prince of Wales
Week 5 (March 21 to 27): Isipathana vs Royal; St. Peter’s vs Dharmaraja; St. Anthony’s vs St. Joseph’s; S. Thomas’ vs Science; Trinity vs Prince of Wales; Wesley vs Zahira