The national selectors chose a 13-member squad filled with experience and youth and led by Kandy SC wing Kavindu Perera, to contest the final leg (Round 2) of the Men’s Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series, yesterday (15), to be played at Racecourse Grounds, Colombo over the weekend.
From the 13-member squad which competed in the first-leg of the ongoing series in China late last month, three seniors Srinath Sooriyabandara, Heshan Jansen and Diluksha Dange, who did not feature have been recalled.
However, the selectors have discarded the likes of Janith Marasinghe, Shaahid Zumri, Aaron Corea, Jayathu Rajaratne, Nalan Deshapriya and Vishenka Silva from the team, who were involved in the Chinese leg of the series.
They have been substituted by Yehan Bulathsinhalage, Chemod Muthunayake and Chris Dabare along with Sooriyabandara, Jansen and Dange, as the hosts look to make an impression in Pool C alongside China, Uzbekistan and Singapore.
The Sri Lanka Men’s team had to settle for fourth place during the Round 1 of the ongoing Asian Rugby Emirates Sevens Series in China after losing their third – place playoff to the hosts 22-17.
The SL women’s team claimed the ninth spot in that edition after beating Singapore 12-0 in their playoff match.
Hong Kong will commence the Colombo leg as favourites, after they crushed Japan 31-12 in the Men’s Cup Final, while Japan will be likewise in the Women’s segment after they posted a close 24-29 victory over China in the Cup Final.
Sri Lanka Men’s team is scheduled to meet Uzbekistan (12.40 p.m.), Singapore (5. 04 p.m.) and China (9. 50 p.m.) on Saturday (18), while the Women’s squad is due to play Thailand (10.28 a.m.), Hong Kong (3.14 p.m.) and Singapore (7.16 p.m.) also on the same day, before heading to the Knockout phase of the tournament on Sunday (19).
Sri Lanka Squad
Kavindu Perera (capt.), Chathura Soysa, Janidu Dilshan, Akash Madusanka, Diluksha Dange, Yehan Bulathsinhalage, Kalana Chamuditha, Heshan Jansen, Srinath Sooriyabandara, Suranga Tennakoon, Gayan Perera, Dinal Ekanayake, Chris Dabare.
Standbys – Mohamad Rifan and Chemod Muthunayaka