The formidable Defence services XV will scrum down against the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) presidents XV for the president Mahinda Rajapaksha Trophy at the Navy grounds Welisara this evening.

Yoshitha Rajapaksha, Flanker will lead the defence services XV and Pradeep Liyanage will be his counter part in today's encounter. Both teams will be very aggressive as this will be the first time such an event is being played, which will become an annual feature in the local rugby calendar.

The Defence services XV will comprise of five Air Force ruggerites that played exceptionally during the last tournament. The names of the Air Force players are as follows....

Saumya Silva
Pradeep Kurukulasooriya
Pubudu Kotugoda
Flt Lt Dinesh Weerarathne
Anuranga Arunashantha