IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy (JWRT) qualifier between Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, Korea and the host Sri Lanka will kick off on 21st Sunday afternoon at the Race Course International stadium.
It is a good move by the authorities to yet again call this event to Sri Lanka which will showcase the country and its passion for schools rugby and also gives the fans an opportunity to cheer their heroes up close.
A yet another entertaining schools rugby season came to an end in July. Now the top rugby players from schools eye the event of their lives, the participations in the junior Asiad. Trinity Lion Tarinda Ratwatte who has also toured with the Junior Tuskers last year, will lead this time ahead of this weekend’s clash at the picturesque Race Course grounds against Korea.
Korea and Hong Kong will be a strong opponent for the Junior Tuskers. The Asian giants Japan have already qualified for the Junior World Championship (JWC)after becoming the champions in JWRT 2014 beating Tonga 35 – 10 in the finals last April in Hong Kong.
If Sri Lanka finishes on top they will be playing in the JWRT in Portugal next year which is an eight team qualifier for the JWC.
The coaching team for the Junior Asia will be champion coach Nilfer Ibrahim and his assistant Anuranga Walpola and they are in the process working hard with the current squad which is in a training camp in Welisara.
Junior Tuskers squad of 25 :
Props
Stephan Gregory – St. Josephs College, Colombo
Ganuka Dissanyake – Isipathana College, Colombo
Direndra Ratwatte – Trinity College, Kandy
Anurada Karunathilaka – Trinity College, Kandy
Hookers
Supun Warnakulasuriya – Royal College, Colombo
Nisal Deysatha – Isipathana College, Colombo
2nd rows
Umesh Madushan – Royal College, Colombo
Sithum Peiries – Wesley College, Colombo
Akila Perera -Isipathana College, Colombo
3rd rows
Shenal Deelaka Silva (Vice Captain) – Isipathana College, Colombo
Tariq Salih = St. Joesphs College, Colombo
Isuru Rangala – Trinity College, Kandy
Chathura Dilshan – Isipathana College, Colombo
Omalka Gunaratne – Isipathana College, Colombo
Scrum Half
Sudam Sooriyarachchi – Isipathana College, Colombo
Prasad Malinda – Science College, Mt. Lavinia
Fly Half
Tarinda Ratwatte (Captain) – Trinity College, Kandy
Rehan Romesh – Isipathana College, Colombo
Centers
Ashela Wijesinghe – Kingswood College, Kandy
Kevin Dixon – St.Peters College, Colombo
Lochana Girihagama – Trinity College, Kandy
Sanchana Shiek – Trinity College, Kandy
Wings
Bhanuka Gamage – Royal College, Colombo
Prince Chamara – Scicence College, Mt. Lavinia
Full backs
Nimshan Jayawardena – Royal College, Colombo
Given below is the schedule :
Log in to www.thepapare.com for updates
