Isipathana and Science dominate U20 7’s squad

The Asia under 20 rugby 7’s series will kick off on 15th & 16th August in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. The second leg will be held in Hong Kong on the 22nd & 23rd the following week.

Junior Tuskers will play their first match against the Chinese Taipei team at 8.50 am SL time. Later in the day they will take on the hosts Malaysia at 11.50 am SL time. However, Sri Lanka has to finish in the top 6 out of these 9 teams in order to stay in the cup category. 

The selectors of Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) named a 32 member pool initially after the U20 club 7’s tournament fortnight ago. However, it is been now shortened for a squad of 17. The Junior Tuskers will leave the island on the 13th August and after the 1st leg they will be travelling to Hong Kong straight from Malaysia for the 2nd leg.

However, it is a tough battle for the selectors to pick a captain and Mr. Michael Jayasekera the chairman of selectors stated that “we have some winning captains and players who impacted in the club segment, we have to think who will play the most of the 14 minutes of play”   Therefore he said selectors will decide to appoint the captain by Wednesday.

The junior Tuskers will be coached by the former national fly half Collin Denish who was the consultant coach for the Science College and Rajeev Perera former Havelock’s hooker will be the team manager.

The squad of 17 – i

From Isipathana – Senal Deelaka, Omalka Gunarathne, Rehan Silva, Asitha Punchihewa, Kushan Induni

From Science – Prince Chamara, Lasindu Ishan, Supun Dilshan, Sajith Silva, Thanuja Maduranga

From St.Peters – Kevin Dixon (Agoal), Shamri Burah (HARFA), Nishon Perera (Agoal)

From Wesley – Sithum Peiris (Agoal), Chamika Kusal (SJC Cavaliers)

From Kingswood – Reeza Raffaideen (Agoal)

From D.S. Senanayake – Buddima Piyarathne (Kandurata)