Founded by Colonel Ernest Huntley Joseph in the year 1922, the Ceylonese Rugby & Football Club commonly known as CR&FC is a household name in Sri Lankan Rugby. CR has produced champion teams and exceptional players who have donned the national colors for many a year.
The glory days of the CR&FC were during the 1980`s when they became the champions of the league for three consecutive times in the years 1987, 1988 and 1989. Even though CR & FC was the top club in the not too distant past, they have always remained the bridesmaid, losing out the strong Kandy SC in many finals over the years. They were crowned champions of the Clifford Cup Knockout tournament in the year 2007 which is recorded as their only significant achievement in recent times.
The past couple of seasons have seen CR& FC showing progress and hints of becoming a champion outfit. Some exciting young talent has made its way to Longdon Place and will be looking to put the Colombo 7 club back on the road to winning a championship.
Shane Sammandaperuma to lead the Reds
The former Wesley College Prop forward has been handed the responsibility of leading the Red shirts in the 2016/17 season. Sammandaperuma is a hardworking first rower who is praised for his work ethic and is a player highly regarded for his mobility on the field. He will have to manage the new talent and the experienced players with the squad including 12 national players and 03 junior national players.
The experienced Ishan Noor has returned from injury and will provide tremendous experience and assistance to Sammandaperuma in managing the forwards. Rizah Mubarak, the national fullback and former Isipathanian has returned to Longdon place and will provide stability at the last line of defense . Mubarak is also one of the best kickers in the country and will be an important asset in the close encounters.
The U21 Third row
CR&FC have opted for a youthful combination in the third row and have three young guns at the back of the scrum. Shawkt Lahir & Taariq Salih will be the flankers in a lineup that will feature Omalka Gunarathne who has switched to the Red shirt from Navy SC. The form of this energetic partnership is going to be crucial for CR around the fringes.
Tharinda Ratwatte will be wearing the all-important #10 for the Red’s in the 2016/17 season. Ratwatte was in impressive form during the Asia Rugby 7s Series and will be the catalyst who will orchestrate the attacking play in a promising back line which will feature players in the likes of Kavindu Perera, Sashan Mohammad and the experienced Mubarak.
Back Room Staff
Former Scottish international Ben Mcdougal will be the man in charge of the Longdon place club for the 2016/17 season. Having completed stints at Army SC and St. Peter’s College prior to taking on CR&FC, he is no stranger to the local rugby fraternity. With a promising young squad under his purview, Mcdougal is looking to instill professionalism that is seen in other countries to CR & FC and aims to work towards clinching the evasive Dialog Rugby League title.
Squad 2016/17
