Ten Sports will sponsor the Sri Lankan national rugby team after its parent company, Taj Television, agreed a deal with the Sri Lankan Rugby and Football Union (SLRFU), the governing body of rugby in Sri Lanka. Taj will fund the team's training and travel expenses, as well as working to help develop rugby and other sports in the country.

"We are excited to be in partnership with the SLRFU. We are associated with both cricket and rugby in the country, and will also seek other ways to help build sport in Sri Lanka," said Taj TV chief executive Chris McDonald. Rugby is the second most popular sport in Sri Lanka after cricket, but the national team is ranked only 51st in the world, behind such minnows as Madagascar and Chinese Taipei.

"I am grateful to Taj Television for extending their support and becoming the sponsors of the Sri Lankan national rugby team," said SLRFU chairman Maiya Gunasekara. "This is the first time in the history where an international sports broadcaster has stepped into the shoes of a sponsor of the Sri Lankan national rugby team. It has certainly boosted the morale of the team members."