The distinct red and blue jersey that has captured the hearts of Lankan rugby originates from the artillery division of its founder, Colonel E. H. Joseph.
The Colonel founded The Ceylonese rugby foot ball club in 1922 and was the first and only rugby playing institution in the country at the time.
After the end of the first World War, the Clifford cup knock out tournament was re-introduced where CR & FC lost to the combined services team by 3-6. However the Ceylonese Rugby & Football Club continued to thrive with schoolboys from Trinity College, Royal College, S. Thomas College, St Peters College and subsequently Isipathana College having joined theirs ranks.
Over the years CR & FC has earned its reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the Sri Lankan club rugby arena and has homed some of the household names in Sri Lankan rugby such as The Ekanayaka brothers from the early 1990s to timely front men of the sport such as Ashean Karthelis and Dhushantha Lewke, the de Costa brothers etc
CR & FC having not performed up to their legendary reputation last year are hard at practice under the guidance of Samoan Head coach Lagga who has made a name for himself with a few clubs he coached. Bilal Yusuf former coach of Royal College Colombo known for his expertise of technicalities holds the position of assistant coach and the visionary duo are beyond determined to “bring CR & FC to the top four of the league this season” as per Assistant coach Bilal. The return of Riza Mubarak and Dushantha Lewke alongside some of the faces familiar in the blue and red jersey have also given a boost to the morale of the club packing it with sheer determination to succeed.
Players to look out for
Ishan Noor – The captain himself is a man to watch. The towering lock forward from St Peters College is a veteran with years of experience under his belt and is a technically proficient scrummager who will no doubt be instrumental in controlling or conquering the scrum down.
Riza Mubarak – CR & FC will have the liberty of having the “safest hands in the business” amongst their ranks once more this season. Leaving little room to worry about security at the back Riza is also a reliable and strategic defender who is unlikely to let his man slip. Not to mention he is also likely to be CR’s first option as the “go to man” with the boot considering his past exploits and repute with the boot.
Heshan Gunaratne – The speedster from the school by the sea brings a great deal of physicality to his game as a wing three quarter. Making the conventional solution of pushing the wingers out to touch obsolete, as Heshan is an aggressive runner who is far from hesitant to take on the defense. Not to mention an experienced component of the team who has loyally remained with the club overtime.
Pium Jayasinghe – A crowd favorite! The nifty, chatty half back from St josephs College Is equipped with great vision and is an accomplished controller of the game marshalling his forwards to and fro and is known for slipping past defenders through seemingly illogically small gaps in the defense. He is also a capable box kicker able to put the ball high or in to space safely from off the base.
Considering the wealth of young talent that CR & FC has accumulated coupled with the coaching staff who have many successes under their belt, CR & FC is looking at a definite rejuvenation from the note at which the club finished last season. However their success would depend greatly on how well the players specializations and skills will be put to use as well as the strength of chemistry between players which would be a deciding factor when it comes to support in broken play which would in turn result in continuity of play. The best tool to keep oppositions at bay and on the back foot.
Considering the iconic colors of CR & FC adopted from an artillery division the players and coaching staff are hard at work embodying the fighting spirit to ensure nothing short of a bombarding of the oppositions that lay in wait.
Squad
Props
shamir thajudeen
hafeez adhahan
shane samandaperuma
Eroshan de alwis
Hookers
Anuja perera
Hamza hassan
Murad ramzeen
Locks
Ishan noor (cpt)
hasthike bandaranayaka
dimithri wijethunga
dilanka perera
Flankers
kasun desilva
dushanthe lewke
chilanka samaraweera
ganidu lakshan
malith desilva
No 8
Nissan Aitui
Peter Semeneo
Half backs
Kavindu De Costa
Rahul De Silva
Pium Jayasinghe
Fly halves
rimze jamaldeen
lasaale vaa
Centers
mushin faleel
gayan liyanage
lasintha decosta
ashan decosta
amila bandara
Wing three quarters
vishwamithra jayasinghe
dinesh kumara
heshan gunaratne
duminda nayakeratne
Fullback
Riza Mubarak
