Let’s take a closer look at the Trinity College Rugby team competing in the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025.
History
Trinity College, the Lions from the Hill Capital have always been a frontrunner in the schools rugby scene having played the very first rugby encounter in the island against hometown rivals Kingswood in 1906, Trinity Rugby has only one from strength to strength, having produced a number of quality rugby players for club and country.
- Dharmaraja College Rugby, out to break the hoodoo
- Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025 set to send Sri Lanka into a Rugby craze yet again
- Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025 to begin on 6th June
- Meet the captains who are battling for a single crown
The last decade hasn’t been the best for Trinity. With their highest finish in the league being in 2017 under Nathan Yee. Their last big break was in 2011, where they won the Knockout Championship under Murad Ramzeen. They’ve come close to clinching a title in the 15s on numerous occasions but have failed to cross the finish line.
Last year they had a promising outing finishing 2nd in the group stage and qualifying for the super round and eventually finishing in fourth place. The highlight of their season was the massive performance against Royal College Colombo in the 78th Bradby Shield encounter where they won back the shield after 10 long years under the captaincy of Thisanga Dissanayake.
Current Outfit
Trinity’s outfit for 2025 is a young but experienced one. With a good mix in both the pack and the line, they have a good depth in their squad as well. These are promising signs for the future of Trinity Rugby.
Trinity have speedy and skilled backline players, who can go the full 70 minutes. But if there ever was a point of concern for them, it would be the fact that they lack big bulky forwards. However they make up for it, with speed and agility, so you can never write them off.
The Trinity defense, both rush and fringe, opened a lot of eyes in the recently concluded Knock Out Championship, and will be their most powerful weapon going into the league.
Players to Watch out for
The team will be led by 3rd Year Coloursman, Usman Safraz. The well-built center will be a key player for the lions. His ability to distribute good clean ball makes him a stand out player.
The golden boy for Trinity would definitely be their goal kicker, Shan Althaf. After his heroics in the 78th Bradby Shield where he knocked over a 53m Penalty, many eyes, both spectators and teams will be on him. The youngster who can play in 2026 as well, has a huge aura in the way he plays. He has developed a plethora of skills during the off season to go with his accurate place kicking, which makes him the man to watch out for from Trinity.
Co-Vice Captain Nisith Kumarasinghe, will play as flanker and is a utility forward. His line speed and tackles can hurt any opposition.
In the forwards, No.8 Shrayan Satheeshkumar and Prop forward Manusha Silva will play a pivotal role, both in set piece and open play.
The backline has the likes of Bradby Shield Try Scorers Minula Yaddehige and Murad Raizan on the wings. The biggest X factor would be their scrumhalf Udan Wijekoon, who plays the game with a little hint of Antoine Dupont.
Coaches
Former Sri Lanka and Kandy Sports Club skipper, Fazil Marija will take charge of the outfit as the head coach in his 3rd season with Trinity. The SL Rugby legend will have Viraj Prasanna as his assistant, with Tharaka Algama being the S & C Coach.
The tactical minds of the coaches will be of paramount importance for the Lions if they are to clinch the title this year.
Expectations for the season
As long teams do, Trinity would be eyeing the top prize. Having already emerged runners-up in the knockout trophy, in an absolute thriller at the Royal COmplex against Isipathana. They will look to do one better and end the season as league champions. They last won the league in 1987.
With an extended league in 2025, Trinity will be grouped alongside, Royal, St. Joseph’s, Sri Sumangala, Vidyartha and Thurstan in Group C.
Their first task would be to win all games in their group before the super round.
Having to travel down to Colombo for a majority of their games, would mean the players would have minimal time to rest and recover after each game. It is no easy task to travel 250km every week and play a 70 minute game. The way in which the coaches manage the players would be critical.
Fixtures
Vs Sri Sumangala College – 6th June at the Trinity College Rugby Stadium, Pallekele
Vs Vidyartha College – 14th June at the Trinity College Rugby Stadium, Pallekele
Vs Thurstan College – 21st June at the AIr Force Ground Ratmalana
Vs St. Joseph’s College – 28th of June at the CR & FC Grounds, Colombo
Vs Royal College – 5th of July at the Trinity College Rugby Stadium, Pallekele
79th Bradby Shield Encounter
1st Leg – 23rd of August at the Trinity College Rugby Stadium, Pallekele
2nd Leg – 6th of September at the Royal College Sports Complex
Full Squad
Usmaan Shafraz, Shan Althaf , Nisith Kumarasinghe, Rithika Weragama, Sadeesha Weerawamsa, Dishal Thomas, Nisala Perera, Mohommed Waqidh Ali, Seth Wickramanayake, Ishara Premachandra, Tevin Udukumbura, Achintha Jayasena, Ravindu Jayasinghe, Mukshidh Siyam, Ridma Nimneth, Ammaar Manzil, Manusha Silva, Akash Fernando, Ramindu Wanasinghe, Dimath Ambapitiya, Kevin Weerakoon, Evin Jayasena, Abdul Malik, Maleesha Jayaneth, Onija Kodithuwakku, Bilal Nazeer, Amhar Faizal, Heshan Kumarawansa, Naheel Jayah, Mindinu Dissanayake, Hamza Abdeen, Minula Yaddehige, Vihanga Indhusara, Mohommed Asri, Deemal Thilakarathne, Ravishka Dissanayake, Shrayan Satheeshkumar, Murad Raizan, Udaan Wijekoon, Avishka Jaysekara
