The heirs of the rugby crown in the country, Kandy Sports Club under the reign of the national skipper Fazil Marija will embark on a mission to bring in their 19th league title this upcoming season. The club that came into existence in the late 19th century has become the undisputed frontrunner in rugby since 1992. Remaining unbeaten for eleven straight years whilst winning the league title for 12 consecutive years from 2000 to 2011 is enough evidence to showcase the superior blend of rugby this club has produced.

Last Season

The ‘Sean Wijesinghe revolution’ last year saw the Kandyans back into nobility grabbing honors of the Dialog league title after a lapse of two years and securing the Clifford cup silverware within the hills. Kandy’s foreign re-enforcements played an integral part in last year’s mission to glory giving the locals the hope of pushing through their limits to come out on top.

Winning the Inter-Club Sevens title earlier this year, marked a successful start to the 2015 story of the Kandy Sports Club while a second spot in the Western Asia Club Rugby Championships would provide them with adrenaline to dominate the local stage.

Players to watch

Kandy SC players-to-watchThe overseas rule didn’t seem to affect the defending champions who made the best off the transfer window. With the Kandy club signing up over five key players, the possibility of an escalation to superiority is a looming threat to the rest of their opponents.

The #1 jersey in the Kandy team for the last decade has ended up in the hands of the big burly Kishore Jehan who will be wearing the coveted jersey for the 11th successive year. The Sri Lanka Rugby prop-forward will be the front-runner in Kandy’s attacking phases and will be feared by the counterparts.

Skipper Marija will be leading the Kandy team as captain for the second time around and will be team’s key architect. Marija who has also lead the Sri Lanka Rugby team with distinction has stamped iconic insignia on the local rugby scene. The last time he had the reigns of captaincy, the team ended up both league and Clifford cup winners. He now has with him a rare opportunity of taking his team to a triple crown with honors in the sevens segment.

The Shehan Pathirana transfer filled Kandy’s gap in the locks as the former Royal skipper will be teaming up with Shashika Jayawardena to power the Kandy scrum. Another value addition for the team is the signing of Vishwamithra Jayasinghe who made his trip to the hills from the Sailors. The former Isipathana wing three tipped one of the fastest in the country will be Kandy’s solution to engage in fast moving play.

The senior Weeraratna, Gayan has proved that aging doesn’t tamper with talent as he is having one of the best seasons so far. Returning from injury, his performance in the Mercantile sevens gave him the opportunity to make a return to the national squad. Playing at Center, Gayan is tipped to continue his in-form stint in the main stage.

New blood
Kandy SC New BloodKandy has not shown much interest in bringing in new blood to the squad this season and has only signed up Ravin De Silva from St. Joseph’s College. While retaining player Lochana Girihagama who played for Trinity College in 2014 gets his spot in the squad and will look to get some game time this season.

Coaching

Kandy SC will be mentored this season by the household name of Kandy Sports Club; Sean Wijesinghe. Holding many different roles throughout his professional stint playing as a explosive third row, it will be a different challenge for the former Sri Lanka Rugby skipper taking on his first professional coaching duty. Alongside him in his aid are two other veterans; Saliya Kumara and Nalaka Weerakkodi. The trio will primarily hold responsibility for nurturing the sports club that they played their rugby in.

On paper, Kandy look as an indestructible outfit with their new value additions and may rip through many an opposition. They will surely go for the kill and look to achieve the dream of the triple crown.

Squad

Sean Wijesinghe, Damith Dissanayake,Shashika Jayawardena,Piyumal Manchanayaka,Yakoob Ali,Fazil Marija,Gayan Ratnayake,Uchitha Jayasooriya,Tharindu Chathuranga,Dimithra Wijethunga,Lasitha Attanagoda,Arshad Jamaldeen,Roshan Weeraratna,Kishore Jehan,Thisala Karunathilake,Heshan Kalhara,Tharindu Chanaka,Gayan Weeraratna,Lochana Girihagama,Richard Dharmapala,Asitha Ratnayaka,Ravin De Silva,Dhanush Dayan,Shehan Pathirana,Thilina Wijeisnghe,Buweneka Udangamuwa,Oshan Perera,Lavanga Perera,Suhiru Anthony,Nigel Ratwatte,Srinath Sooriyabandara,Vishvamithra Jayasinghe,Anrudhdha Wilwara,Chanaka Bandara

Sean Wijesinghe (Coach), Nalaka Weerakkodi (Assistant Coach), Saliya Kumara (Assistant Coach)