With the loss of 11 seniors from a well-drilled outfit last year, St. Joseph’s College will face a stiff challenge with their fledgling team in the upcoming under 20 Singer All-Island ‘A’ Division Rugby Tournament 2016.

Bit of History

Josephian Rugby was started way back in 1954 among a few rugby aficionados and back then the unofficial Josephian rugby team was known as the ‘Hornets’.  In 1955, Rugby officially became a sport at Darley Road. Chrishanth Fernando led the Josephian rugby team in 1954 and the first Josephian rugby captain was Mahendra Dias in 1955.

Josephian rugby has produced many great players in the past such as late Major Gen. Janaka Perera, brothers Nalin and Shamin Perera, Dinuk De. S. Wijeratne and former Sri Lanka Rugby captain Anton Benedict. In the recent past, Josephian rugby has been on the rise with players like Dhanushka ‘Gertha’ Perera, Pium Jayasinghe and Rehan Thiyagarajah performing exceptionally well.

Since 2009, St. Joseph’s College has played in the top league of Sri Lanka Schools Rugby. Under the hard-working flanker, Taariq Salih’s captaincy, St. Joseph’s enjoyed a fruitful season last year winning both their traditional encounters against St. Peter’s College and S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia for the first time since 1999. They ended as the 5th ranked team in Sri Lanka but they could have finished at a much higher ranking after playing superb brand of rugby throughout the season.

The 2016 season so far

The boys from Colombo 10 started their training from way back in September, 2015. After putting the hard-yards in the gym and on the field for several months, St. Joseph’s College experienced some success at the recently concluded All-Island Sevens Tournament where they defeated the pre-tournament favourites, Science College in the cup quarter-finals but went down fighting against Isipathana College in the cup semi-finals. The Josephians recorded victories against Mahanama College and St. Anthony’s College, Katugasthota in their pre-season warm-up games. They will play against S.Thomas’ College, Royal College, Trinity College, Wesley College and D.S Senanayake College in their first-round games.

Romesh ‘Cheetah’ Priyankara to lead the Josephians

Dancing feet, sound defensive tactics and the knack of scoring tries are few of the abilities possessed by the 4th year coloursman, Romesh Priyankara who will be leading the team from Darley Road. Romesh had a phenomenal season last year playing at the all-important Center position and this time he will have the added responsibility of captaincy. The 18-year old will undoubtedly become an asset for Sri Lanka Rugby in the near future.

Key Players to watch out for

Most of the team members have not played 1st XV thus far and the senior members in the squad will need to come out all guns blazing this season. The Josephians are renowned to have always had the luxury of a strong set of forwards but this year, the tides have changed and their backs look like the more dangerous and experienced facet.

The most senior player in the pack, Devon Fernando will need to play a pivotal role at the number 8 position just like his playing idol, Kieran Read. The 4th year coloursman played most of the season as Hooker during the last few seasons but the change to a much more challenging position will no doubt bring out the best of the 2016 vice-captain of the team.

The rise of nippy winger Vinul Fernando as a potent try-scorer last year has increased the expectations of him this season. He is dangerous for any opposition with free space and ball in hand. The burly Center Sharith Amit and Fly-half/Center Raveen Antonio will need to be at the top of their game in order for the Josephians to succeed while the forwards such as Kevin Silva and Tharindu De Alwis will be a force to reckon with throughout the season.

The men behind the scenes

For the second year running, experienced coach Bilal Yusuf will once again provide his excellent expertize as the head coach of the Josephian outfit. He was also in-charge of the team in Blue & White in 2011 as well. Former Royal, CR & Sri Lanka three-quarter Asanga Rodrigo will be the assistant coach-backs while former Royal prop Ashane Dissanayake will be the assistant coach-forwards.

Currently, Sri Lanka’s best place-kicker, Riza Mubarak will be in-charge of the kicking department and this will be his maiden season coaching at this prestigious institution. Prasantha Ranaweera will once again do his duties as the Master-In-Charge. The Rugby Advisory Committee has also done a wonderful job in uplifting standards in Joes Rugby.

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